PRIME MINISTER

Advisory Committee on Business Appointments

Albert Owen: To ask the Prime Minister if he has received the Fifth report of the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments; who the members of the Committee are; and if he will make a statement.

Tony Blair: The Advisory Committee on Business Appointments has submitted its fifth report to me and I have today placed copies in the Libraries of both Houses. The report gives an account of its work from 1 April 2001 to 31 March 2002.
	The Committee is an independent body which advises me on business appointment applications from the most senior civil servants and members of the Armed Forces. Where the applicant is a senior diplomat, it advises the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs under the similar rules which apply in the Diplomatic Service. The Committee also gives advice, under published guidelines, to former Ministers about any outside appointments they wish to take up after leaving office. It includes members with extensive experience of public life in England, Scotland and Wales, and, in this respect, it acts as a joint body although it provides its advice directly to those who seek it in accordance with the provisions of their Ministerial Code.
	The current members of the Committee are:
	The Right Hon. Lord Mayhew of Twysden QC DL (Chairman)
	Sir John Blelloch KCB (Vice-chairman)
	The Right Hon. Lord Morris of Aberavon QC
	The Right Hon. Lord Maclennan of Rogart
	The Lord Wilson of Tillyorn KT GCMG
	Admiral Sir Kenneth Eaton GBE KCB FEng FIEE
	Sir Bryan Nicholson
	The Committee has an important role, and I am very grateful to all the members for giving their time so freely to it.

TRANSPORT

Rail Regulator

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his reply of 10 July 2002, Official Report, column 982W, on the Strategic Rail Authority and Rail Regulator, if he will list the type or nature of the occasions on which it is deemed approporiate for him and other departmental ministers to meet the (a) Chairman of the Strategic Rail Authority and (b) Rail Regulator.

David Jamieson: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport and other departmental Ministers would expect to meet the Chairman of the Strategic Rail Authority and the Rail Regulator to discuss matters of common interest, and at wider industry meetings and events.

Rail Regulator

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the responsibilities of (a) the office of the Rail Regulator and (b) the office of the international rail regulator; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: The functions and duties of the Rail Regulator are set out in Part I of the Railways Act 1993 as amended by the Transport Act 2000; and those of the International Rail Regulator in the Railway Regulations 1998 (SI 1998/1340).

Strategic Rail Authority

Anne Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the Strategic Rail Authority will consult on its review of rail fares policy.

Alistair Darling: The Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) has today published its consultation paper on fares policy. Copies have been placed in the House libraries and the document can also be viewed on the SRA website (www.sra.gov.uk). The consultation period will end on 11 October 2002. This process is part of the SRA's review of fares policy announced in the Authority's Strategic Plan, published in January this year.

Network Rail

Jane Griffiths: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his statement of 27 June 2002, Official Report, columns 971–73, on Network Rail, if he will make a statement on the Government's proposal to incur the contingent liabilities set out in the associated minutes he laid before Parliament.

Alistair Darling: In my statement on 27 June on Network Rail, I informed Members of two minutes I had laid in the House that day, setting out the contingent liabilities I proposed to incur on behalf of the Government to enable Railtrack plc to be acquired by Network Rail.
	This classification of Network Rail was a decision taken, not by the Government, but by the Office for National Statistics. The ONS takes independent decisions in matters concerning the classification, preparation and publication of statistics. It was their view that Network Rail would be classified as a private sector corporation — once its board has been ratified by its membership — and that the company's borrowing could be classified as private sector borrowing in the national accounts. In reaching this conclusion the ONS has, I understand, based their considerations upon the European System of Accounts 1995 (ESA95).
	As I explained to the House in my statement of 27 June the SRA is providing Network Rail with standby credit facilities. It is the commercial debt markets that will provide the required borrowing for Network Rail, with the credit facilities called upon in identified, though unlikely, circumstances. On this basis the SRA's standby credit facilities are considered to be contingent liabilities and would only score as public expenditure in the extremely unlikely event of them being called upon.
	The Comptroller and Auditor General of the National Audit Office has, in his capacity as auditor of the SRA, concluded that Network Rail should be accounted for as a subsidiary of the SRA. This judgement is based on the application of UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (UK-GAAP). As such the expenditure and liabilities of Network Rail will be accounted for in an open and transparent way—a very welcome step.
	The provision of any funds necessary to meet the SRA's financial obligations could be made by way of grant under paragraph 7 of schedule 14 of the Transport Act 2000 or by permitting the SRA to borrow in accordance with paragraph 8 of that schedule. Whether the SRA's financial obligations (subject to normal supply procedures) would be met by a grant, by allowing it to borrow, or a mixture of both would be determined if the need arose.
	It therefore remains my intention to proceed as proposed and incur the liabilities set out in the minutes.
	The Government judges that the contingent liabilities set out in the minutes I laid before the House on 27 June provide robust means of quickly setting up a strong and well-managed company to take over the responsibilities of Railtrack as network operator. And to do so by uniting the rail industry to work together under the strategic guidance of the SRA with Government with the overall aim of delivering the efficient, safe and reliable railway network that customers want.

Rail Services (Plymouth)

Linda Gilroy: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement with respect to (a) achieving and (b) building on the three hour target for rail journeys to Plymouth.

John Spellar: I understand that the winter timetable will include a 3 hour service between London and Plymouth. The SRA has recently concluded a consultation on the potential combination of the Great Western and Thames franchises in 2006, which would provide an opportunity to review service patterns with a view to improving journey times between London and Plymouth, and other destinations in the South West. Decisions will be announced in due course.

Commuter Lines

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which lines are to be considered as commuter lines with regard to the intended output for more frequent services on commuter lines as given in his 10-year plan at paragraph 6.22, page 49; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: holding answer 18 July 2002
	Those on which a substantial proportion of passenger journeys and/or passenger kilometres involve travel to, or from, work. There is no standard definition, but traffic on such lines is generally heaviest in the morning and evening peaks.

Passenger Rail Demand

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the methodology behind his Department's estimate, on page 20, paragraph 49 of the 10-year plan background analysis, that just under two thirds of the increased passenger rail demand due to fare reductions and service quality improvements will be from car users switching to rail; what percentage of the total estimated increase in passenger kilometres, resulting from the 10-year plan, this will represent; and what estimate has been made as to the number of car users switching to rail as a result of (a) economic growth and (c) car traffic growth.

David Jamieson: holding answer 18 July 2002
	The estimate of the proportion of rail demand that would be a result of car users switching to rail came from evidence available at the time, collated by consultants to the Department, with the methodology reported in "Modelling using the National Road Traffic Forecasting framework for Tackling Congestion and Pollution and Transport 2010: The 10 Year Plan—Technical Report" (DETR, December 2002).
	This proportion represents about 15 per cent points of the growth in passenger demand over 2000 levels (from the total 50 per cent increase), as the two thirds factor was only applicable for patronage growth resulting from plan policies.
	No separate estimates were made of the impacts of economic growth and car traffic growth respectively. It is intended that the multi-modal National Transport Model we are developing will be able to address such questions in the future.

Rail Freight

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many tonnes of freight were moved by (a) rail and (b) road in each of the last five years.

David Jamieson: holding answer 18 July 2002
	The figures for Great Britain are set out below:
	
		
			  Road billion tonne kms Rail billion tonne kms 
		
		
			 1997–98 152.4 16.9 
			 1998–99 150.5 17.3 
			 1999–2000 149.4 18.2 
			 2000–01 149.5 18.1 
			 2001–02 not available 19.7

Rail Investment

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the (a) proportion and (b) total value is of the required passenger infrastructure and rolling stock investment, as outlined in the SRA plan, that is expected to be funded from increases in fare revenues.

David Jamieson: holding answer 18 July 2002
	The Strategic Rail Authority's Strategic Plan assumed no change to existing policies on fares regulation.

Safer Stations

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his reply of 2 July 2002, Official Report, column 208W, on safer stations if he will list those train operating companies which are committed to seeking accreditation to which he refers; what steps have been taken; and when full accreditation is likely to be granted.

David Jamieson: The Strategic Rail Authority is working with the Train Operating Companies, as part of the franchise renewal and extension process, to agree commitments to both the Secure Stations Scheme and the Secured Car Park Scheme. As a number of these franchise negotiations are currently taking place, it would not be appropriate to disclose which Train Operating Companies are seeking Secure Stations accreditation for all their stations.

Nuclear Waste Shipments

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what contingency plans have been put in place against the event of a shipwreck involving a ship carrying nuclear waste to Sellafield off the coast of the UK.

David Jamieson: holding answer 17 July 2002
	The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) response to an incident involving a ship carrying radioactive materials will follow the procedures laid down in the National Contingency Plan (NCP) for Marine Pollution from Shipping and Offshore Installations. The MCA would lead and co-ordinate a multi-agency response bringing in key organisations to provide advice and support as required.
	British Nuclear Fuels plc (BNFL) and its subsidiary Pacific Nuclear Transport Limited (PNTL) have produced emergency response procedures that are compatible with the NCP for their fleet of seven vessels which are specifically designed for the carriage of radioactive materials. Each ship of the fleet has a Shipboard Marine Emergency Plan which follows the guidelines prepared by the Marine Environment Protection Committee of the International Maritime Organization. BNFL and other nuclear operators are technically competent in responding to incidents involving radioactive material and would provide radiological advice to the MCA as required.

National Air Traffic Services

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  what assessment he has made of the appropriate level of insurance cover for NATS;
	(2)  what level of insurance he is requiring from NATS;
	(3)  what discussions he has held with NATS over their insurance cover.

David Jamieson: With effect from 1 July NATS has obtained aviation third party liability insurance to a level comparable with that secured by other major aviation interests post the events of 11 September.
	NATS is continuing to investigate alternative markets that it has been advised may facilitate further cover. NATS and its lenders will take a view of this matter once quotes have been obtained for this additional layer of insurance.

National Air Traffic Services

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  how many air traffic controllers were (a) employed and (b) in training in each year since 1990;
	(2)  what steps (a) have been taken and (b) are planned to increase the number of trained national air traffic controllers; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  how many air traffic controllers were (a) employed and (b) in training in each year since 1990; and if he will make a statement;
	(4)  what steps he has taken to increase the number of air traffic controllers;
	(5)  what the target staff complement is of National Air Traffic Services; how many vacancies and at what levels are unfilled; how many individuals have (a) left, (b) retired from and (c) joined NATS in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: These are operational matters for National Air Traffic Services (NATS).

National Air Traffic Services

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  what discussions he has had with NATS, the unions, the CAA and other air traffic control providers about increasing the number of air traffic controllers; and what representations he has had from these bodies on this subject;
	(2)  what recent (a) representations he and his Department has received and (b) discussions he and his Department has had with (i) NATS and (ii) the CAA regarding the number of trained national air traffic controllers; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: Ensuring that there is an adequate number of air traffic controllers, is an operational matter for NATS.
	However, the Department, in its capacity as a responsible shareholder, has regular meetings with NATS. It is understood that unions and management are working together to find an effective and acceptable solution, that accords with the requirements of the air traffic control approval granted by the CAA.

Railway Statistics

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the methodology used by the SRA in order to seasonally adjust passenger kilometres.

David Jamieson: holding answer 18 July 2002
	Passenger Kilometres data are collected in four-weekly periods and are susceptible to seasonal effects. The SRA seasonally adjusts the four weekly data using a variant of the "X11 Arima" package, developed by Statistics Canada and used (and recommended) by the Office for National Statistics.
	The SRA publishes both seasonally adjusted and unadjusted figures.

Vehicle Charging

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  when he will publish guidelines related to (a) workplace parking and (b) road use charging; whether the guidance will be retrospective; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  when he will publish guidelines related to (a) work place parking and (b) road user charging; and if this guidance will be retrospective.

David Jamieson: I am considering the nature and scope of guidance on the workplace parking levy and on road user charging.

Congestion

Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the level of congestion in large urban areas in England was in 2000; and what criteria are used to define such areas.

David Jamieson: We plan to publish congestion data relating to 2000 in the autumn. These data will form a baseline against which future congestion data will be compared. For the PSA congestion target, large urban areas are defined as all those urban areas with a population of above 250,000: Greater London; the former metropolitan counties centred on the cities of Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle and Sheffield; and the urban areas of Blackpool, Bournemouth, Brighton, Bristol, Hull, Leicester, Middlesbrough, Nottingham, Plymouth, Portsmouth, Southampton and Stoke. These urban areas may include parts of neighbouring local authority areas to give consistency with the area definitions in the Department's National Transport Model.

Congestion

Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the level of congestion was on the inter-urban trunk road network in 2000; and what criteria are to be used to measure changes in congestion each year.

David Jamieson: We plan to publish congestion data relating to 2000 in the autumn. These data will form a baseline against which future congestion data will be compared.

Multi-Modal Studies

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans there are for (a) guidance and (b) legislation relating to the implementation of multi-modal studies; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: There are no plans for (a) guidance or (b) legislation relating to the implementation of Multi-Modal Studies. Implementation of agreed recommendations from the Studies will be the responsibility of the relevant delivery agencies. Government Offices will have a co-ordinating role.

Multi-Modal Studies

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the new trunk road and bypass schemes which (a) have been given approval and (b) are awaiting approval after being part of a multi-modal study.

David Jamieson: We have made announcements on three Multi-Modal Studies and have asked the Highways Agency and relevant local authorities to take forward work on the trunk road and bypass schemes listed below. Final decisions on schemes will be taken following completion of the normal statutory processes. Access to Hastings MMS — A21 Tonbridge to Pembury A21 South of Pembury Cambridge to Huntingdon MMS — Widening and partial realignment of the A14 in the Cambridge to Huntingdon corridor South East Manchester MMS — M60/M67/A57 Denton Interchange. A6 Stockport N/S Bypass A523/A555 Poynton Bypass A555 Manchester Airport Link Road West A34 Alderley Edge Bypass
	A number of other Multi-Modal Studies have submitted Final Reports to Regional Planning Bodies. Study recommendations including those relating to trunk roads and bypasses will be considered in the light of Regional Planning Body advice.

Postal Voting

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what steps he is taking to (a) safeguard the secrecy of the ballot, (b) protect voters from intimidation and (c) ensure that postal votes are completed by the voter to whom they belong, in postal ballots.

Yvette Cooper: I have been asked to reply. 
	We recognise that it is essential to make sure that new methods of voting do not undermine the integrity and security of the election process. Safeguards in relation to the postal voting have been in place for many years, and we have no reason to believe that they do not operate satisfactorily in all postal ballots. The Electoral Commission is evaluating the local authority pilot schemes that ran all postal ballots in the May 2002 local and mayoral elections, including issues such as security and privacy. The Commission will publish its report on 1 August 2002.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

CDC Capital Partners

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if she will list (a) those to whom CDC Capital Partners' sold its enterprise investments in the last three years and (b) the enterprise investments sold to them.

Clare Short: holding answer 11 July 2002
	In the last three years, CDC has sold the following significant equity investments to the following companies:
	2000:
	
		
			 Investment Buyer 
		
		
			 Tip Top (Nicaragua) Sun Valley Foods (Cargill Inc) 
			 Usutu Pulp (Swaziland) Sappi 
			 Industrial Credit Company (Zambia) Loita Capital Partners 
			 Nanga Farms (Zambia) Incumbent management team 
			 PT Semen Andalas, (Indonesia) Lafarge 
		
	
	2001:
	
		
			 Investment Buyer 
		
		
			 Housing Development Finance Corp (India) Swiss Re Insurance Group 
			 Pan Africa Cement Lafarge 
			 Zambia Sugar Corporation Illovo Sugar 
			 Eutco, Kawalazi, Sable (Tanzania and Malawi) Global 
			 Rwenzori Highlands Tea, Uganda James Finlay 
			 CG Glass, (India) Koninklijke Philips Electronics 
		
	
	There have been no outright disposals so far in 2002.

CDC Capital Partners

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if she will break down by (a) region and (b) sector the representations her Department has received regarding the environmental impact of CDC Capital Partners' investments since 1997.

Clare Short: holding answer 11 July 2002
	In 1999 my Department received a representation concerning orange peel waste deposit by CDC in the Area de Conservacion Guanacaste, Costa Rica, under a local agreement. This was part of an experiment to recycle organic material to rehabilitate an area of degraded cattle pasture. In 2000 and 2001 representations were received concerning deforestation issues relating to oil palm plantations respectively in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. The latter included concerns about protection of the habitat of the Queen Alexandra's Birdwing Butterly.

CDC Capital Partners

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if she will list the debts to the Treasury by CDC Capital Partners.

Clare Short: holding answer 11 July 2002
	CDC owes Government £755m in respect of loans made to CDC by my Department in the past. These were in the form of exchequer advances funded from the development assistance programme. CDC does not owe any debt to HM Treasury.

CDC Capital Partners

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what criteria are used in determining annual performance-related bonuses to CDC Capital Group executives

Clare Short: holding answer 11 July 2002
	The annual bonus pool, from which individual bonuses are paid, is determined by the Board from a set of objectives which is agreed each year. These objectives cover the areas of financial performance, portfolio management and non-financial factors, and are weighted appropriately:
	Financial — accounting for 60 per cent of the pool
	Portfolio management — accounting for 20 per cent of the pool
	Non-financial — accounting for 20 per cent of the pool
	Individual bonuses also depend on a number of factors including a 360-degree performance review and the individual's performance against personal targets.

CDC Capital Partners

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if she will list the sub-Saharan agri-businesses advertised for sale in 2001 by CDC Capital Partners; and what proportion those businesses represented in 2001 in CDC Capital Partners' sub-Sahran agri-businesses.

Clare Short: holding answer 11 July 2002
	The agribusinesses advertised for sale in 2001 are listed below. The figures in brackets represent their approximate proportionate value of the 2001 sub Saharan agribusiness portfolio.
	Rwenzori Highlands Tea (10 per cent)
	Shiselweni Forestry (2 per cent)
	Sulmac (3 per cent)
	York Farms (2 per cent)
	Mpongwe Farm (15 per cent)
	Kilombero Valley Teak (5 per cent)

CDC Capital Partners

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, how many Commonwealth nationals employed by CDC Capital Partners have been made redundant since 1997.

Clare Short: holding answer 11 July 2002
	Since 1997 a total of 217 Commonwealth nationals (including UK employees) have been made redundant.

CDC Capital Partners

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what (a) current and (b) proposed (i) annual performance related bonus programmes and (ii) long term incentive plans exist for CDC Capital Partners' mid-level executives.

Clare Short: holding answer 11 July 2002
	(i)(a) A current annual bonus programme exists which allows the Remuneration Committee to approve cash awards up to 50 per cent of an individual's base salary.
	(b) No additional or new bonus plan is proposed.
	(ii)(a) A long term incentive plan linked to NAV growth over a three-year period is in place.
	(b) No new long-term plan has been proposed.

CDC Capital Partners

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what the proportional growth of CDC Capital Partners' (a) retail and (b) healthcare investments has been since 1997.

Clare Short: holding answer 11 July 2002
	) (a) retail — in 1997, retail represented 0.86 per cent of CDC's portfolio; today, retail represents 4.61 per cent of CDC's portfolio
	(b) healthcare — in 1997, healthcare represented 0.16 per cent of CDC's portfolio; today, healthcare represents 3.25 per cent of CDC's portfolio

CDC Capital Partners

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if she will list the countries where CDC Capital Partners (a) has received and (b) receives exemptions on environmental regulations on its investments.

Clare Short: holding answer 11 July 2002
	CDC Capital Partners does not ask for or receive exemptions on environmental regulations on any of its investments. CDC makes investments on the basis that any shortfall in the standards of social and environmental performance of the company, not only against local legislation but also against international good practice, will be addressed. Where substantial environmental improvements are required, it is possible that the investee company will request exemption from local environmental regulation in the short term, but this is only acceptable to CDC in the context of long-term improvement.

CDC Capital Partners

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if she will list CDC Capital Partners' agricultural investments in sub-Saharan Africa by country since 1997; describing the commercial activities in each case.

Clare Short: holding answer 11 July 2002
	CDC Capital Partners' new investments in agribusiness:
	
		
			 Year Country Company name Commercial activity 
		
		
			 2002 Tanzania Tatepa Tea blending and packaging business 
			 1999 Tanzania South Highlands Tea Privatisation of smallholder tea factories 
			 1998 Zimbabwe Ariston Diversified agribusiness holding co 
			 1998 Kenya Sulmac Modernise floriculture and develop vegetable enterprise for export 
			 1997 South Africa New Farmers Agricultural Investment Fund 
			 1997 Mozambique AGRIMO Cotton production and ginning 
		
	
	Including the investments listed above, CDC has 37 agribusiness equity holdings as at end 2001.

CDC Capital Partners

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if she will list the countries where CDC Capital Partners (a) has received and (b) receives tax breaks on its investments.

Clare Short: holding answer 11 July 2002
	There are 44 countries in which CDC has a tax exemption not always available to other companies. Until recently CDC also received tax exemption in Costa Rica under an Operating Conditions Agreement (OCA) which CDC voluntarily gave up due to special circumstances in 2000.
	A list of the 44 countries where CDC currently receives a tax exemption is below: Country
	
		
			   
		
		
			 1 Anguilla 
			 2 Bangladesh 
			 3 Barbados 
			 4 Belize 
			 5 Bolivia 
			 6 Botswana 
			 7 Cameroon 
			 8 Cote d'Ivoire 
			 9 Cuba 
			 10 Dominica 
			 11 Dominican Republic 
			 12 Ecuador 
			 13 Egypt 
			 14 Ghana 
			 15 Guatemala 
			 16 Guyana 
			 17 Honduras 
			 18 Indonesia 
			 19 Jamaica 
			 20 Kenya 
			 21 Laos 
			 22 Malaysia 
			 23 Mauritius 
			 24 Montserrat 
			 25 Mozambique 
			 26 Namibia 
			 27 Nicaragua 
			 28 Nigeria 
			 29 Pakistan 
			 30 Philippines 
			 31 Sierra Leone 
			 32 Solomon Islands 
			 33 South Africa 
			 34 Sri Lanka 
			 35 St Kitts & Nevis 
			 36 Sudan 
			 37 Tanzania 
			 38 Thailand 
			 39 Trinidad & Tobago 
			 40 Uganda 
			 41 Vietnam 
			 42 Zambia

CDC Capital Partners

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development 
	(1)  if she will list the unsuccessful formal investments and sale tenders in which CDC Capital Partners has participated, by sector, since 1997;
	(2)  if she will list the unsuccessful formal investments and sale tenders in which CDC Capital Partners has participated, by country, since 1997.

Clare Short: holding answer 11 July 2002
	This information is not kept by CDC.

CDC Capital Partners

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if she will list CDC Capital Partners' disposal of investments by (a) sector, (b) size and (c) country since 1997.

Clare Short: holding answer 11 July 2002
	Full details are not available without disproportionate cost. However for a list of significant disposals, I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to his question. (67390)

CDC Capital Partners

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if she will list by (a) country and (b) sector the environmental impact studies (i) performed and (ii) contracted by CDC Capital Partners since 1997.

Clare Short: holding answer 11 July 2002
	An environmental impact study is carried out by CDC on every investment where the environmental risk is high, and where thorough mitigation, management and monitoring is therefore required. Where the risk is perceived to be medium or low, a detailed study and management plan is not required but a basic assessment of environmental issues will be undertaken by the Investment Manager, with advice from CDC's Business Principles Unit.
	CDC does not hold records of environmental impact studies going back to 1997, but the following investments made in each of the years 1997 to 2002 were subject to a detailed environmental review.
	
		
			 Year Country Sector Client Company 
		
		
			 1997 Ghana Minerals Oil & Gas Abosso Goldfields Limited 
			 1997 Kenya Other Sectors Nairobi Business Park Ltd 
			 1997 Tanzania Minerals Oil & Gas East Africa Gold Mines Ltd 
			 1997 Tanzania Property International House Property Ltd 
			 1997 Uganda Property Rwenzori Courts Limited 
			 1997 Zimbabwe Agribusiness Lake Harvest Aquaculture (Pvt) Ltd 
			 1997 Indonesia Agribusiness PT Harapan Sawit Lestari 
			 1997 Philippines Cement Alsons Cement Corporation 
			 1997 Philippines Power Mirant Sual Corporation 
			 1997 Solomon Islands Minerals Oil & Gas Gold Ridge Mining Ltd 
			 1997 Bolivia Other Sectors Sociedad Boliviana de Cemento, SA 
			 1997 Nicaragua Agribusiness Tip Top Industrial SA 
			 1997 Sri Lanka Power Asia Power (Pvt) Ltd 
			 1998 Ghana Minerals Oil & Gas Satellite Goldfields Ltd 
			 1998 Mozambique Minerals Oil & Gas Mozal SARL 
			 1998 South Africa Minerals Oil & Gas Kuyasa Mining (Pty) Ltd 
			 1998 Papua New Guinea Minerals Oil & Gas Morobe Consolidated Goldfields Ltd 
			 1998 Costa Rica Property Torre Mercedes SA 
			 1998 India Power Lanco Kondapalli Power Ltd 
			 1999 Cote d'Ivoire Power Azito Energie SA 
			 1999 Indonesia Agribusiness PT Agro Indomas 
			 1999 Indonesia Agribusiness PT Harapan Sawit Lestari 
			 1999 Guatemala Power Orzunil 1 SA 
			 1999 Guyana Power Americas and Caribbean Power Ltd 
			 1999 Nicaragua Power Empresa Energetica Corinto Ltd 
			 2000 Kenya Other Sectors The Junction Ltd 
			 2000 Kenya Power Tsavo Power Co Ltd 
			 2000 South Africa Infrastructure Comazar (Pty) Ltd 
			 2000 Zambia Minerals Oil & Gas Konkola Copper Mines Ltd 
			 2000 Indonesia Agribusiness PT Asiatic Persada 
			 2000 Bolivia Minerals Oil & Gas Compania Minera Colquiri S.A. 
			 2000 Dominican Republic Power Hart Energy Haina Ltd 
			 2000 Dominican Republic Power La Compania de Electricidad de San Pedro de Macoris 
			 2000 Guatemala Power Puerto Quetzal Power Ltd Liability Company 
			 2000 Sri Lanka Infrastructure South Asia Gateway Terminals (Pvt) Ltd 
			 2001 South Africa Minerals Oil & Gas Aquarius Platinum Ltd 
			 2001 Tanzania Power Songas Company Ltd 
			 2001 Nicaragua Power Empresa Energetica Corinto Ltd 
			 2001 Sri Lanka Power Ace Power Generation Anuradhapura (Pvt) Ltd 
			 2001 Sri Lanka Power Ace Power Generation Matara (Pvt) Ltd

CDC Capital Partners

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if she will list the investments visited by CDC Capital Partners for monitoring purposes; and how many times each has been visited since 1997.

Clare Short: holding answer 11 July 2002
	It is not possible to answer this question without disproportionate cost.

CDC Capital Partners

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if she will list, by country, the publicly guaranteed debt owed to CDC Capital Partners.

Clare Short: holding answer 11 July 2002
	As part of CDC's restructuring efforts, all outstanding public sector loans, guaranteed by host governments, were transferred to the Department for International Development in 2000. Therefore, there is no publicly guaranteed debt owed to CDC Capital Partners.
	The Government does not stand as guarantor for any debt owed to CDC.

CDC Capital Partners

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if she will list the funds containing private capital (a) managed and (b) joint-managed by CDC Capital Partners; and how much capital has been in each fund since 1997.

Clare Short: holding answer 11 July 2002
	Between 1997 and 2000, CDC Capital Partners did not jointly manage any private equity funds. In 2001 CDC formed a joint venture fund management company with Norfund under the name Aureos Capital. A series of country funds which hitherto had been solely managed by CDC were rolled up as part of Aureos Capital and are now jointly managed.
	Funds containing private capital managed and joint-managed by CDC Capital Partners since 1997
	
		
			  Country/ region Launch date Size of fund (US$m) 
		
		
			 Managed regional funds
			 South Asia Regional Fund South Asia 1998 108 
			 Comafin Sub-Saharan Africa 1996 60 
			 Managed country funds
			 Enterprise Capital Fund South Africa 1995 20 
			 Managed and transferred to Aureos in 2001 (2001 onwards— joint management with Norfund)
			 Central America Investment Facility Costa Rica 1996 26.4 
			 Ghana Venture Capital Fund Ghana 1992 5.8 
			 Acacia Fund Kenya 1996 19.7 
			 Indian Ocean Regional Fund Mauritius 1999 18.0 
			 Mauritius Venture Capital Fund Mauritius 1995 7.5 
			 Mozambique Investment Company Mozambique 1998 14.0 
			 Kula Fund Pacific Islands 1997 16.9 
			 NDBVI (Sri Lanka) "B" and Ayojana Fund Sri Lanka 1993 16.7 
			 Tanzania Venture Capital Fund Tanzania 1993 7.6 
			 Fedha Fund Tanzania 1998 13.0 
			 Zambia Venture Capital Fund Zambia 1996 12.5 
			 Takura Fund Zimbabwe 1996 6.3 
			 Aureos Capital Fund  2002 33 
			 Jointly managed with CGU in China
			 CGU-CDC China Investment Company China 2000 100

CDC Capital Partners

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what discussions she has had with CDC Capital Group board members regarding annual performance-related bonuses to CDC Capital Group executives.

Clare Short: holding answer 11 July 2002
	There have been periodic discussions over the last two years between my Department, the Treasury and senior CDC management about the Long Term Incentive Plan (LTIP), which has been approved on an annual basis. Otherwise annual performance bonuses to CDC staff are the responsibility of the Board of CDC and its Remuneration Committee.

CDC Capital Partners

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what proportion of CDC Capital Partners' (a) retail and (b) healthcare investments are in (i) low-income and (ii) least-developed nations.

Clare Short: holding answer 11 July 2002
	CDC has no retail or healthcare investments in low-income or least-developed countries.

CDC Capital Partners

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if she will list CDC Capital Partners' investment partners by (a) sector, (b) country and (c) size since 1997.

Clare Short: holding answer 11 July 2002
	It is not possible to answer this question without disproportionate cost.

CDC Capital Partners

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development when her Department's review period for the financial advice service provider in relation CDC Capital Partners (a) began and (b) ends.

Clare Short: An advertisement was submitted to the Official Journal of the European Communities (OJEC) on 5 June inviting expressions of interest. The new contract is due to be awarded from 1 August 2002.

CDC Capital Partners

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will renew the contract of CDC Capital Partners' chief executive.

Clare Short: The Chief Executive's contract is with CDC, not with my Department. The contract is automatically renewed unless either side (the employer or the employee) serves notice.

CDC Capital Partners

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development who (a) has participated and (b) will participate in selecting a financial advice service provider in relation to CDC Capital Partners.

Clare Short: An advertisement was submitted to the Official Journal of the European Communities (OJEC) on 5 June, in accordance with EU procurement rules, inviting expressions of interest. Formal bids have yet to be considered. The independent member on the evaluation panel has yet to be decided.

CDC Capital Partners

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions she has had with the Treasury regarding her Department's solicitation of financial advice service providers in relation to CDC Capital Partners.

Clare Short: No discussions have been held with the Treasury about the re-tendering of the financial advice consultancy to DFID for work on CDC. The Treasury has been kept informed about the exercise.

CDC Capital Partners

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the status is of CDC Capital Partners' (a) chief executive and (b) chairman.

Clare Short: Information about the Chairman and the Chief Executive is contained in the annual review for 2001. Copies of this are available in the Library of the House.

CDC Capital Partners

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development 
	(1)  what tenders criteria her Department uses in selecting financial advice service providers in relation to CDC Capital Partners;
	(2)  what criteria were used in selecting a financial advice service provider in relation to CDC Capital Partners.

Clare Short: Formal bids will be assessed according the following criteria:
	a. Demonstrated experience and knowledge of personnel and firm in (a) corporate finance, (b) private equity investment management (c) private equity and other funding instruments, (d) fund management contracts, (e) fund performance assessment, (f) incentivisation arrangement for fund managers and other personnel, (g) negotiation of transactions in these and related fields, and (h) access to current information on markets parameters and trends. (15 per cent).
	b. Demonstrated experience and knowledge in capital markets and investment conditions in the poorer developing countries. (10 per cent)
	c. Demonstrated capability to access potential UK and international investors and partners for CDC, including institutional investors, development finance institutions, and corporate investors. (5 per cent)
	d. Demonstrated recent experience and understanding of UK Government PPPs and privatisations. (20 per cent)
	e. Demonstrated appreciation of DFID's approach to pro-poor private sector development and the role of CDC in this context. (10 per cent)
	f. Methodology of work proposed. (5 per cent)
	g. Total cost, fees, average daily rates, number of days offered, special contractual conditions. (35 per cent)

CDC Capital Partners

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development which financial advice service providers followed up on their expressions of interest regarding providing financial advice in relation to CDC Capital Partners; and when the follow-ups took place.

Clare Short: One firm of consultants, following its expression of interest, approached the department with a query about the form in which its proposal should be submitted. It would not be appropriate to identify the firm, and the query was answered promptly. A further firm, which was not invited to make a formal bid, has also now approached the Department to ask why it was not short-listed. The closing date for receiving bids was 18 July.

CDC Capital Partners

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development when her Department expects to complete the tender for providing financial advice in relation to CDC Capital Partners.

Clare Short: It is currently envisaged that the contract will be awarded on 25 July, with the new contract taking effect from 1 August 2002.

CDC Capital Partners

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment her Department has made of the effectiveness of CDC Capital Partners in improving the export competitiveness of lesser developed countries; and if she will make a statement.

Clare Short: None.

CDC Capital Partners

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of the background investigations performed on service providers tendering expressions of interest in providing financial advice in relation to CDC Capital Partners.

Clare Short: None. No background investigations have been performed.

CDC Capital Partners

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what representations her Department has received regarding private investors' expressions of investment interest in CDC Capital Partners since 1999; and which private investors expressed investment interest and when.

Clare Short: No direct representations have been received.

CDC Capital Partners

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what responses she has received, and when, to her Department's notice seeking expressions of interest from financial advice service providers in providing her Department with financial advice in relation CDC Capital Partners.

Clare Short: As the re-tendering exercise is currently in progress, it would not be appropriate to divulge this information.

CDC Capital Partners

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if the current performance of CDC Capital Partners' chief executive would trigger a bonus payment.

Clare Short: Yes. The Chief Executive is eligible for a bonus along with all other CDC employees. Criteria are set each year in line with CDC's business plan. The amount is determined by the Remuneration Committee and, in the case of the Chief Executive, may be discussed with the Department.

CDC Capital Partners

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the real terms expenditure of CDC Capital Partners was on (a) publicity, (b) advertising and (c) press and public relations in each of the financial years since 1997; and what the figures are for the present year.

Clare Short: An exact breakdown is not available except at disproportionate cost. CDC retained a UK public relations agency in 1997 and 1998, but stopped their services in mid 1999.
	CDC uses consultancies on a project basis, as and when required. CDC has no advertising/sponsorship campaign in place.

CDC Capital Partners

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how long the contract is for the financial advice service provider in relation to CDC Capital Partners.

Clare Short: It is currently intended that the contract will be for 24 months, with the possibility of an extension for up to twelve months.

CDC Capital Partners

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions she has had with CDC Capital Partners' senior executives regarding her Department's tender for financial advisers in relation to CDC Capital Partners.

Clare Short: None.

CDC Capital Partners

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development when the contract of CDC Capital Partners' chief executive expires.

Clare Short: The contract of the Chief Executive would normally expire on his 60th birthday unless terminated earlier.

CDC Capital Partners

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list the financial advice service providers with whom her Department is negotiating to provide financial advice in relation to CDC Capital Partners.

Clare Short: It would not be appropriate to divulge which firms have been invited to tender for the financial advice consultancy.

CDC Capital Partners

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list the external consultants and advisors retained and used by her Department in respect of its plans to tender for financial advice in relation to CDC Capital Partners.

Clare Short: None.

CDC Capital Partners

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what her assessment is of the implementation CDC Capital Partners privatisation plan.

Clare Short: In the current market conditions, the Government does not believe that it will be possible to sell a majority of CDC's shares in the near future at a price that represents good value for the development assistance programme. We are therefore exploring alternative ways to achieve the objective of the Public Private Partnership, to mobilise increased investment for the benefit of poorer developing countries.

CDC Capital Partners

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what her Department's criteria are for private investors in CDC Capital Partners.

Clare Short: The willingness of private investors to invest in CDC or to work with CDC in joint ventures or at project level is entirely a commercial matter. Investors will, at the outset, be aware of the distinctive nature of CDC, and its commitment to investing for the benefit of developing countries and to ethical business principles.

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Vera Baird: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what information she has collated in respect of the humanitarian situation in the Sud Kivu region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo; and if she will make a statement.

Clare Short: We are trying to monitor recent developments in Sud Kivu, particularly the renewed fighting in the Hauts Plateaux region, although the current insecurity and problems of access have made it difficult for the international community to obtain a full picture of what is happening. We are aware of the distressing humanitarian situation for the many people who appear to have been displaced by the recent fighting there. Together with the wider international community and the UN we are pressing for the cessation of all fighting in the eastern DRC, the full implementation of the Lusaka peace accords and for the armed groups to allow full humanitarian access to the areas affected.
	We are helping to fund a range of humanitarian support in the Kivus through the UN and international NGOs. My officials are presently visiting this region to monitor progress on current projects, and for discussions with local and international NGOs on the scope for further DFID support for peace and reconciliation-related activities in the area.

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Vera Baird: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment her Department has made of the importance of economic factors in respect of the continuing violence in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Clare Short: The primary factor in the continuing violence in eastern DRC is the absence of a political settlement between the main parties to the conflict and the attempt by forces that supported the genocide in Rwanda to invade the country. The final report of the UN Panel on resource exploitation in the DRC is due in the autumn. We shall study the report carefully and participate fully in the Security Council's deliberations on its recommendations. We are very conscious that the sad history of the Congo has meant that these resources have never been used for the benefit of the people of the Congo. We continue to believe that the surest way of converting resource exploitation into legitimate trade to benefit the Congolese people is to achieve an end to the conflict and restore peace in the region.

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Vera Baird: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what representations her Department has made to (a) the Government of Rwanda and (b) the Rassemblement Congolais pour la Democratie—Goma on the importance of maintaining peace and security in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Clare Short: My Department maintains regular dialogue with all parties to the conflict in the DRC, including the Government of Rwanda and RCD-Goma. We strongly support the full implementation of the Lusaka accords in order to achieve a lasting peace for the DRC and the wider Great Lakes region.

Angola

David Atkinson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the recent warning by the United Nations on the number of people in Angola facing starvation.

Clare Short: According to the United Nations, half a million people are facing starvation in Angola and more than a million others are completely dependent on food aid for their survival. The end of the long running civil war has increased the number of people within the reach of the humanitarian agencies by between two million and three million in a matter of months. The needy are widely scattered, with a greater range of needs than ever before.
	We are trying to respond as quickly and flexibly as possible. We have so far contributed £1.7 million to the 2002 United Nations appeals for Angola to ensure that critical humanitarian needs are met and to assist in the reception areas for ex UNITA fighters and their families. We await a further UN appeal, which is due later this month. We have also committed over £2 million to the ICRC and MSF, who are at the forefront of the humanitarian response

Zimbabwe

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what reports she has received that refugees in the Tongogara camp have been sexually abused by relief workers affiliated to non-Governmental organisations.

Clare Short: We understand that the allegations in this case, which relate to a camp in Zimbabwe, have been investigated and that two members of staff of the organisation involved have been dismissed.

Zimbabwe

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development 
	(1)  which non-Governmental organisations the Government are assisting to help small scale farmers revive maize production in Zimbabwe; and if she will make a statement on these projects;
	(2)  which non-Governmental organisations the Government are assisting to help poor farmers in the communal areas to increase food production in Zimbabwe; and if she will make a statement on these projects.

Clare Short: The next season for dryland maize planting, which is mostly carried out by small scale farmers in the rural areas, starts in October. We are discussing with a number of NGOs proposals for inputs for planting, and will make allocations shortly.

Burundi

Vera Baird: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps her Department has taken to aid the economy of Burundi; and if she will make a statement.

Clare Short: The UK does not have extensive developmental links with Burundi. We are supporting international efforts to promote an end to conflict and achieve a secure and lasting peace, which we believe is a necessary prerequisite for sustained economic development. We are at the same time supporting humanitarian programmes through non-governmental channels.
	The UK has pledged a contribution of just over $1 million towards the Burundi Multilateral Donor Trust Fund (MDTF). This has recently been established with the objective of providing transitional debt relief to Burundi during the period leading to its access to the Enhanced Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative, and to increased inflows of donor assistance. The MDTF will help enable the country's debt to international financial institutions to be serviced in a timely manner. This is supplementary to the £3 million we are planning to spend in bilateral assistance and our contributions to the EU in this financial year. We will also be posting a DFID representative to Burundi to help in the process of donor re-engagement there.

Burundi

Vera Baird: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what information her Department has collated in respect of the recent numbers of extra-judicial killings by the Burundian army; and if she will make a statement.

Clare Short: I am not aware of any recent extra-judicial killings by the Burundian army.
	We are however aware of continuing fighting between the Burundian army and Burundian rebel groups and that there has been a recent escalation both around the capital in Bujumbura Rural province, and in the southeast of the country. We welcome the prospect of all the Burundian parties meeting later this month in Tanzania under the auspices of the Arusha Process facilitators to address outstanding issues delaying a full peace agreement.

Food Shortages (Africa)

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of the barriers preventing the transportation of the surplus in cereal production in northern Mozambique to areas of the country facing food shortages; what steps her Department is taking to overcome these barriers; and if she will make a statement.

Clare Short: Along with relevant Government Departments, other donors and NGO's, DFID supported a recent FAO/WFP Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission in Mozambique. The mission confirmed the forecast export surplus of about 100,000 tonnes of maize, available following increased cereal production in the northern region.
	Logistics and traditional trading patterns will result in most of Mozambique's surplus being exported to Malawi and other neighbouring countries — the worst affected countries in the region.
	Compared with imported South African grain, high internal transport costs make it uncompetitive to move the maize surplus from the north to deficit areas in the south and parts of the central region. The shortfall in these areas is expected to be covered mainly by food aid and commercial imports. This strategy takes into account the regional context as well as consideration of the options for alleviation within Mozambique.
	DFID is commissioning a short consultancy to advise on the most effective contribution we can make to alleviation and future prevention of the Mozambique food security crisis.

Food Shortages (Africa)

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions she has had with her counterparts in European Union countries on the World Health Organisation appeal for additional resources to help combat starvation in southern Africa.

Clare Short: We expect the health elements of the crisis to be covered in the country appeals due to be presented this week, and will then consult with other donors on our response.

Northern Africa

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of the potential for political conflict arising from a shortage of water in northern Africa; and if she will make a statement.

Clare Short: My Department is supporting international partnerships advocating integrated water resource management, and is sponsoring research projects looking at ways in which management of transboundary waters can lead to reduced tensions.
	The ten countries in the Nile basin recognise the need to work together to manage Nile waters for poverty alleviation, resource protection, and mutually beneficial gains. Working with the World Bank, they have set up the Nile Basin Initiative to pursue the sustainable development and management of the Nile waters. The UK fully supports these efforts.
	DFID is providing some funds for the Eastern Nile Technical Regional Office (ENTRO) in Addis Ababa, and plans to support two projects in the Shared Vision Programme, designed to build confidence and the capacity of Nile countries to work effectively together on Nile management.

Uganda

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what aid is being given to the people of Northern Uganda affected by the civil war between the Ugandan Government and the Lord's Resistance Army.

Clare Short: Since 2000, DFID has committed almost £2m for conflict resolution programmes in the area. In addition, as an initial short-term response to the recent escalation in insecurity, DFID are providing humanitarian supplies for displaced persons through UNICEF, and supporting a programme for child welfare.

Malawi

Mike Wood: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what was the total monetary value of the aid given by the British Government to Malawi in the last financial year; and if she will list the three most important items of this aid.

Clare Short: Provisional figures indicate that the government provided £48 million to Malawi in the financial year 2001–02. This included £12.5 million in direct budget support. The three most important expenditures by value are in health, education and rural livelihoods sectors.

Environmental Know How Fund

Colin Breed: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, pursuant to her answer to the hon. Member for Gordon (Malcolm Bruce), of 10 July 2002, Official Report, column 959W, what recommendations were published for, and what assessment she has made of, her Department's involvement in the Environment Poverty Workshop in Albania during 2001–02.

Clare Short: The purpose of the Government of Albania, DFID and World Bank Poverty and Environment Workshop was to sensitise and raise awareness among a broad stakeholder group of the issues and links surrounding effective environmental management, poverty reduction and economic growth in Albania. This was done in the context of Albania's preparation of a Poverty Reduction Strategy paper. The group agreed several recommendations which have not been published but which were taken into account in the preparation of the Poverty Reduction Strategy. A copy is in the Libraries of the House.
	As a result of my Department's involvement in the Workshop, a technical assistance programme has been developed with the Government of Albania, focused on institutionally developing and reforming the Ministry of Environment (formerly the National Environment Agency).

Environmental Know How Fund

Colin Breed: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, pursuant to her answer to the hon. Member for Gordon (Malcolm Bruce), of 10 July 2002, Official Report, column 959W, which United Kingdom companies were involved with her Department's work in the Strengthening Partnerships for Municipal Sustainable Development project in Romania during 2001–02.

Clare Short: WS Aktkins International Limited.

Environmental Know How Fund

Colin Breed: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, pursuant to her answer to the hon. Member for Gordon (Malcolm Bruce), of 10 July 2002, Official Report, column 959W, if she will outline the (a) aims, (b) methodology and (c) outcomes of the Rural Livelihood Project.

Clare Short: 1. The main aim of the Rural Partnerships Programme in the Baltics is to enhance the capacity of local communities to improve rural livelihoods on a sustainable basis.
	2. The methodology adopted by the project is centred on the use of participatory approaches for communities to assess their problems and needs, and plan and implement solutions and mechanisms for fuller representation through all levels of government. The project provides a range of experts and practitioners of community development and participatory processes, local government, regional development and EU who are transferring knowledge and skills through a number of different ways eg workshops, training, study tours, focus groups and mentoring.
	3. The project is working towards achieving six outcomes:
	(i) Area based strategies for tackling rural poverty and social exclusion.
	(ii) Increased capacity within municipalities in applying participatory approaches and in accessing EU funds.
	(iii) Community based projects developed and implemented through partnerships between community groups, NGOs, municipalities and the private sector.
	(iv) Enhanced local skill base to manage and influence the rural development agenda.
	(v) Improved capacity of rural business support/employment services as effective partners in the local development process.
	(vi) National and Regional policy agenda and framework embrace inclusive area based partnership approaches to rural development.

Environmental Know How Fund

Colin Breed: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, pursuant to her answer to the hon. Member for Gordon (Malcolm Bruce), of 10 July 2002, Official Report, column 959W, which United Kingdom companies have been involved with her Department's work in the Capacity Building on the Public Private Partnership project in Romania during 2001–02.

Clare Short: Mott MacDonald Limited.

Environmental Know How Fund

Colin Breed: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, pursuant to her answer to the hon. Member for Gordon (Malcolm Bruce), of 10 July 2002, Official Report, column 959W, (a) what assessment she has made and (b) what recommendations her Department has made of the Rural Livelihood Project in (i) the Baltic states and (ii) Central and Eastern Europe in 2001–02; and if she will make a statement.

Clare Short: The Baltics Rural Partnerships Programme was formally reviewed in October 2001 and has been monitored on a regular basis since then. It is an institutional building project focused at local and national levels with communities, government, NGOs and Civil Society to enhance the capacity of local communities to improve rural livelihoods. The project is assisting the authorities in the three Baltic countries to change the way regional planning is implemented in line with good EU practice by the introduction of a more participative and bottom-up approach to decision making processes.
	DFID assessments have shown that the project is providing value for money in terms of its impact on (i) the progress being made in building local capacity and networks and (ii) links being made into the national policy debate to inform regional policy in preparation for accession to the EU and future effective use of structural funds. Recommendations to the Baltic authorities are made through on-going dialogue between the relevant authorities and institutions in the Baltics and project managers.
	The regional Central and Eastern Europe project consisted of a study on the appropriateness of the rural livelihoods approach in transition economies. I will place a copy in the Libraries of the House.

Afghanistan

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assistance her Department provides to internally displaced people in Afghanistan.

Clare Short: Internally Displaced People (IDPs), are targeted by UN agencies, the Red Cross Movement and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) for the urgent provision of humanitarian assistance. The Afghan Transitional Administration and the international community are working to ensure the reintegration of uprooted Afghans — both IDPs and refugees — who wish to return home. Programmes coordinated by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) are underway to facilitate return, build the capacity of communities to absorb returning families, and integrate short-term programmes with longer-term strategies to ensure sustainable reintegration of returnees. Since September 2001, my Department has contributed £5 million to UNHCR and £4.6 million to IOM for their programmes in the region.

Pacific Rim Plantation

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what representations her Department has received regarding (a) erosion and (b) soil degradation resulting from the Pacific Rim Plantation.

Clare Short: In 2000 my Department received representations from Down to Earth and a number of Indonesian NGOs about possible deforestation/land issues at two palm oil plantations in which CDC had invested in Indonesia. In 2001 representations were received from Friends of the Earth concerning deforestation issues in Papua New Guinea. I am content that CDC looked into the allegations fully.

Pacific Rim Plantation

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what representations her Department has received regarding the Pacific Rim Plantations environmental effect on Queen Alexandra's Birdwing butterfly habitat.

Clare Short: In 2001 my Department received representations by Friends of the Earth in relation to conservation of the Queen Alexandra's Birdwing Butterfly. The butterfly's habitat is in a province of Papua New Guinea where CDC has invested in the establishment of new oil palm plantations.

Great Lakes Region

Vera Baird: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment her Department has made of the (a) World Bank and (b) IMF policy towards states in the Great Lakes region.

Clare Short: The World Bank and IMF both have key roles to play in the Great Lakes region in supporting programmes for the demobilisation and reintegration of armed groups, post-conflict reconstruction and longer term economic development, and I believe the two institutions are approaching these tasks constructively. However the primary requirement remains to achieve a settlement of the Great Lakes conflict, without which no regeneration programmes can be successful. We continue to believe that full re-engagement by the Bank and IMF in the Democratic Republic of the Congo should be contingent upon achievement of an inclusive political settlement as provided for under the Lusaka peace accords.

Consultation

Brian Iddon: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development 
	(1)  how long her Department allowed for consultation on each consultation document it published in 2001 in (a) electronic and (b) printed form;
	(2)  whether consultation documents published by her Department in 2001 carried the consultation criteria as recommended in the Cabinet Office Code of Practice on Written Consultations;
	(3)  in what format her Department has published the results of its 2001 written consultations;
	(4)  how many consultation documents published in 2001 in (a) electronic and (b) printed form her Department has monitered and evaluated in accordance with the Cabinet Office Code of Practice on Written Consultations;
	(5)  how many complaints her Department has received about its 2001 consultations in (a) electronic and (b) printed form;
	(6)  which consultation documents published by her Department in 2001 were not made available as paper copies;
	(7)  whether her Department has a designated consultation co-ordinator in accordance with the Cabinet Office Code of Practice on Written Consultations.

Clare Short: We attach considerable importance to engaging with a wide range of groups across society on our international development work, for example through our Development Policy Forums, publications and briefing notes on major international meetings. However, the nature of the issues for which my department is responsible mean that formal consultation processes are likely to be of interest only to a limited range of people. So while we take account of the principles set out in the Cabinet Office Code of Practice on Written Consultations, and have appointed a designated consultation co-ordinator in accordance with the Code, we do not regard our consultation activities as generally falling within the full provisions of the Code.
	In 2001 we carried out limited consultations on one DFID Target Strategy Paper:
	(a) "Meeting the Challenge of Urban Poverty" which was made available for public consultation from November 2000 until 12 January 2001. The final document was published in April 2001.
	The consultation document was made available in print, and in electronic form via the DFID website. It is DFID practice to make consultation documents available in print and on line until the publication of the finished document. No complaints were received in 2001 regarding this document. At the close of the consultation period the results were published as a final DFID Target Strategy Paper.

HIV/AIDS

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much money the Government have spent on HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment programmes in developing countries in each year since 1997.

Clare Short: Under my department's bilateral programmes we have spent the following amounts on HIV/AIDS related work in developing countries;
	
		
			  £ million 
		
		
			 1997–98 38 
			 1998–99 45 
			 1999–2000 75 
			 2000–01 125 
			 2001–02 200 (provisional)

HIV/AIDS

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, pursuant to the answer of 11 July, ref 68323, on HIV/AIDS, on what occasions HIV/AIDS related projects funded by her Department have been changed following impact assessments.

Clare Short: Examples of changes made to our HIV/AIDS programmes following impact assessments include:
	1. Zambia — a project to inform adolescents about HIV/AIDS was not reaching its intended audience. We have since co-funded a follow-on project which is better designed to reach young adults through their peers.
	2. Cambodia — a brand of condom targeted at young people was found to be too closely associated with commercial sex. Consideration is being given to how the brand of condom can be repositioned.

HIV/AIDS

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, pursuant to the answer of 11 July, 2002, ref. 68323, on HIV/AIDS, what action her Department is taking to ensure information of good practice in high impact projects is shared for the benefit of other projects seeking to tackle the HIV/AIDS virus.

Clare Short: Regular contact between sectoral and geographical departments, including through our HIV/AIDS multi-sectoral task force, helps ensure that lesson learnt about the epidemic are disseminated widely, both internally and externally to DFID. Our communications systems have also been improved significantly and provide ready access to up to date technical guidance (including UNAIDS' best practice) and lessons learned from programmes. We are also working closely with other government departments to ensure a consistent government approach to the epidemic.

Medicines

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what records her Department keeps of the (a) quantity and (b) type of medicines donated by UK drugs companies to developing countries.

Clare Short: The Government does not keep records of the quantity or type of medicines donated by UK drugs companies to developing countries.

Medicines

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development 
	(1)  what steps she is taking to prevent the donation of expired and nearly expired medicines to developing countries;
	(2)  what guidelines exist to ensure that medicines donated by UK drugs companies to developing countries are suitable for the needs of the recipient country;
	(3)  what steps she is taking to ensure medicines donated to developing countries are (a) properly labelled and (b) written in the language of the recipient country.

Clare Short: My Department worked closely with the World Health Organisation (WHO) to produce their "Guidelines for Drug Donations".
	The WHO guidelines clearly set out inter alia that drug donations should: constitute a sustainable contribution to government health strategies in developing countries; be based on need and relevant to the disease pattern of recipient countries; have at least 1 year remaining shelf life; be of a quality which complies with the standards of donor and recipient countries; be properly labelled and written in the language of the recipient country; and only provided after consultation and at the request of the recipient.

Medicines

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of the impact the donation of free medicines from drug companies has had on local drugs markets in developing countries.

Clare Short: The Government worked closely with the World Health Organisation (WHO) to produce their guidelines on drug donations. These guidelines clearly set out that drug donations should only be provided after consultation and at the request of the recipient.
	WHO is responsible for monitoring the impact of drug donations on developing countries. In discussions with them, we have received no evidence that UK donations have undermined local drug markets.

Departmental Report

Alan Beith: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the cost was of publishing her Department's annual report for each of the past five years.

Clare Short: The cost of publishing my Department's Annual Report for each of the last five years is as follows:
	
		
			 Year £'000 
		
		
			 1998 34 
			 1999 65 
			 2000 98 
			 2001 107 
			 2002 82

WORK AND PENSIONS

Housing Benefit

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the average processing time was for housing benefit in each local authority area in Scotland for each of the last six years; and if he will make a statement.

Malcolm Wicks: Prior to the introduction of Best Value performance indicators in April 2000, information was not collected from local authorities on the length of time taken to process Housing Benefit claims.
	Performance indicators for Scotland are the responsibility of the Accounts Commission for Scotland. Information on the average time taken by each local authority in Scotland to process new Housing Benefit claims for 2000–01 is in the Accounts Commission publication "Performance Indicators 2000–01: Benefits, Finance and Corporate Issues", a copy of which is available in the Library.

Housing Benefit

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what percentage of housing benefit claimants received their payment within the Government's 14-day target in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

Malcolm Wicks: Information is not available in the format requested.

Housing Benefit

Archy Kirkwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when findings from the housing benefit review will be published.

Malcolm Wicks: The first publication of findings from the housing benefit review is expected in Autumn 2003.

Benefit Fraud

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many prosecutions for fraud were undertaken by staff employed by his Department and its agencies in (a) 1997–98, (b) 1998–99, (c) 1999–2000 and (d) 2000–01; and how many of these were successful.

Malcolm Wicks: holding answer 15 July 2002
	In each year since 1997, over 98 per cent of prosecutions carried out by the Department and its agencies have resulted in convictions. Information on the number of prosecutions is in the table.
	
		Department for Work and Pensions investigations
		
			 Year Prosecutions Cautions and penalties as an alternative to prosecution Total 
		
		
			 1997–98 11,700 — 11,700 
			 1998–99 10,238 2,835 13,073 
			 1999–2000 9,124 11,029 20,153 
			 2000–01 11,403 15,555 26,958 
		
	
	Source:
	Benefit Fraud Investigation Service and Benefits Agency Security Investigation Service
	Notes:
	(1) The data on cautions and penalties for 1998–99 is derived from the database preceding the current database and there may be some overlap with 1999–2000.
	(2) Administrative penalties, as an alternative to prosecution, were introduced by the Social Security Administration (Fraud) Act (1997) with effect from December 1998.
	(3) From 1 April 2002, the Benefit Fraud Investigation Service became the Counter Fraud Investigation Service and the Benefits Agency Security Investigation Service became the Counter Fraud Investigation Division Operations.

Benefit Fraud

James Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many cases of benefit fraud were established as a result of investigations carried out by the Benefits Agency in each year since 1997; and how many of these resulted in prosecutions.

Malcolm Wicks: For the number of cases of benefit fraud established as a result of investigations carried out by the Benefits Agency in each year since 1997 I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Bognor Regis and Littlehampton (Mr. Nick Gibb) on 16 July 2002, Official Report, column 88W.
	For the number of prosecutions, I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Bognor Regis and Littlehampton (Mr. Nick Gibb) on 9 January 2002, Official Report, column 923W.

Benefits Take-up

Frank Roy: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his latest estimate is of (a) the numbers of persons eligible for benefit who have not taken up their entitlement and (b) the total value of unclaimed benefits.

Malcolm Wicks: The latest available information is published in "Income Related Benefits—Estimates of Take-Up 1999–2000", a copy of which is available in the Library.

Alignment Payments

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will list all of the circumstances in which (a) interim payments and (b) alignment payments are made.

Malcolm Wicks: Interim payments are discretionary payments on account of benefit which can be made to avoid hardship where the Decision Maker is satisfied that the basic conditions of entitlement for the benefit are met. Interim payments can be made in a number of circumstances:
	where a benefit claim has been made but cannot immediately be determined and the delay is not the fault of the customer;
	in an emergency. This covers a variety of different situations from civil emergencies to industrial action;
	where a claim has not been made in the correct manner but it is not the fault of the customer, for example because the claim form has been completed incorrectly by a visiting officer;
	while an appeal is ongoing but the customer clearly has some residual entitlement to benefit;
	Interim payments follow the same payment cycles and periods as the main benefit being claimed and are not made before the person's first benefit pay day. The amount of any payment is recoverable from the main benefit when it is awarded.
	"Alignment payment" is an administrative term used to describe Social Fund crisis loans made to help with day to day living expenses to people awaiting a first payment of benefit which is paid in arrears. Any crisis loans made under these circumstances will cover the recipients' needs until their first benefit pay day, following which full or interim payments of benefit can be made. Alignment payments can also be made to people moving from benefit into work who need financial help until they receive their first wage.

Alignment Payments

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to his answer of 1 July, Official Report, column 95W, on alignment payments, over what time alignment payments have to be repaid.

Malcolm Wicks: As with all Social Fund loans, the period over which crisis loan alignment payments are repaid varies depending upon the size of the loan and the weekly repayment rate. Repayment rates are flexible and take account of each individual's financial position.

New Deal

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what percentage of those going through the new deal for (a) long-term 25-plus, (b) 50-plus, (c) lone parents and (d) new deal 18–24 left for (i) unsubsidised employment, (ii) transferred to another benefit, (iii) left for an unknown reason and (iv) left for an unknown destination in the last 12 months for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Brown: Information on the destination of people leaving New Deal 50 plus is not available. The only measure of participation in the programme is the number of people who move into work and claim the programme's in-work financial support, the Employment Credit. Up to April 2002, nearly 70,000 people had been helped into work through New Deal 50plus.
	The information on the other New Deals is in the table. In addition to those leaving for unsubsidised employment, independent surveys have shown that a significant proportion of leavers to unknown destinations also find work. For example, over 50 per cent of people leaving New Deal for Young People for unknown destinations move into work.
	
		Destination of participants leaving New Deal programmes (April 2001–March 2002)
		
			 Programme Total Leavers per cent of leavers moving into unsubsidised employment per cent of leavers moving on to other benefits per cent of leavers moving for other known reason(1) per cent of leavers moving to unknown destinations(2) 
		
		
			 New Deal for Young People 178,500 37.2 11.6 19.7 31.5 
			 New Deal 25 plus 63,600 29.7 21.2 29.7 19.4 
			 New Deal for Lone Parents 90,720 57.4 1.1 34.0 7.5 
		
	
	Source:
	New Deal Evaluation Database.
	Notes:
	(1)Other known reasons include moving into education or training or moving abroad.
	(2)Includes participants leaving the New Deal programmes for an unknown reason.

Universal Bank

James Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his latest assessment is of the implementation costs of the Universal Bank.

Malcolm Wicks: Contracts are in place between the Government and Post Office Ltd for the provision of the new card account at the Post Office. Elements of the set-up costs are included in the contract, but information on detailed implementation costs is a commercial matter for Post Office Ltd.

Universal Bank

James Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  if he will make a statement on the progress of the Universal Bank towards meeting its April 2003 deadline for the provision of banking services to benefit claimants;
	(2)  what progress is being made with the Universal Bank; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  what his assessment is of the viability of the April 2003 implementation date for the Universal Bank;
	(4)  what contingency plans are in place should the April 2003 deadline for the payment of all benefits via automated credit transfer not be met.

Malcolm Wicks: I refer the hon. Member to the Written Answer given to the hon. Member for Northavon (Mr. Webb) on Friday 5 July 2002, Official Report, column 630W.

Universal Bank

James Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what percentage of benefit recipients received their benefit payments via automated credit transfer in each year since the introduction of ACT.

Malcolm Wicks: I refer the hon. Member to the written answer given to the hon. Member for Weston-super-Mare (Mr. Brian Cotter) on 26 February 2002, Official Report, column 1263W.

Benefit Claimants

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people receive benefits by (a) automated credit transfer and (b) other methods, broken down in each case into recipients of each of the main benefits.

Malcolm Wicks: Statistical information, by benefit, is collected quarterly on the number of customers currently receiving benefit by ACT and other methods.
	The table below is based on information available at March 2002 and shows the number of people that receive their benefits by ACT and other methods of payment, broken down into each of the main benefits.
	For ease of reference, the figures have been rounded to the nearest 5,000 and the numbers paid by other methods are mainly by order book and girocheques with a small number of payable orders.
	
		
			 Benefit Customers Number Paid by ACT Number Paid by Other Methods 
		
		
			 Attendance Allowance 430,000 280,000 150,000 
			 Child Benefit 7,005,000 3,145,000 3,860,000 
			 Disability Living Allowance 1,925,000 795,000 1,130,000 
			 Incapacity Benefit 1,465,000 485,000 980,000 
			 Income Support 3,950,000 695,000 3,255,000 
			 Invalid Care Allowance 400,000 75,000 325,000 
			 Jobseeker's Allowance 800,000 208,000 590,000 
			 Retirement Pension, Widows Benefit & Bereavement Benefit 10,250,000 5,175,000 5,075,000 
			 Veterans Agency (War Pension) 270,000 155,000 115,000

Benefit Claimants

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many, and what proportion of, benefit claimants have had bank accounts that are compatible with automated credit transfer in each year since 1997.

Malcolm Wicks: The table below sets out the number and percentage of benefit customers with access to ACT compatible bank accounts. These are estimated figures, taken from the annual Family Resources Survey. Figures for 2001–02 are not yet available.
	
		
			   Customers with ACT Compatible Accounts 
			 Year Number Percentage 
		
		
			 1997–98 17,830,000 83 
			 1998–99 17,920,000 84 
			 1999–2000 17,830,000 84 
			 2000–01 17,590,000 83

Winter Fuel Payments

Wayne David: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what progress has been made in discussions with the European Commission about winter fuel payments being available to people in EEA countries.

Ian McCartney: We have now concluded our discussions with the European Commission with regard to the extent of the UK Government's responsibilities under European law. As a result, generally EEA nationals who first qualify for a Winter Fuel Payment in the UK and currently reside in another EEA country may now be entitled to Winter Fuel payments. We will publicise the change, and give details of the claims procedure.

Child Support Agency

Stephen Hepburn: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  what plans he has to introduce further measures to give the Child Support Agency power to take action against parents not paying their rightful alimony;
	(2)  what action he will take to provide further support to single parents whose former partners are avoiding paying their rightful contribution to their child's upbringing.

Malcolm Wicks: The purpose of the child support reforms is to ensure that more children receive the maintenance that is their right.
	To achieve this, the Government has legislated, in the Child Support, Pensions and Social Security Act 2000, for a new child support scheme. This is simpler than the current scheme. This reduction in complexity will translate into fewer resources being required for initial and further assessment of cases, enabling more resources to be put into ensuring that liabilities are enforced.
	To support the Child Support Agency in its administration of the new scheme, a new IT system is being built. The new scheme will only be introduced when the technical backup necessary to make a success of the scheme is in place. The combination of modern technology, informing the staff of the Child Support Agency of a failure to pay maintenance, and the Agency having more resources to act on that information, should ensure that maintenance due to children is paid.
	In further support of the new scheme, to deter those seeking to avoid their responsibilities, section 13 of the Act created two new criminal offences, of failing to give information and of knowingly giving false information. Conviction for either of these offences carries fines of up to £1,000. The provision has been in force since last year.

Child Support Agency

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he expects to introduce the changes to the CSA; and if he will make a statement.

Malcolm Wicks: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the statement made to the House on 20 March 2002 by my right hon. Friend the former Secretary of State (Mr. Darling), Official Report, columns 315–324W.

Decision Making

Frank Doran: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he will publish his report into the standards of decision making in the Benefits Agency, Child Support Agency and Employment Service for 2000–01.

Maria Eagle: The report has been laid before Parliament today (HC 1017).
	This is the first report under the new decision making and appeals system introduced by the Social Security Act 1998. It covers the period 1 April 2000 to 31 March 2001, the first full year of operation of the new regime. The report shows variable standards in performance. As the report explains, steps have been taken to improve performance in all areas.

Post Office (Cash Payments)

David Stewart: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what actions his Department is taking to promote the use by benefit and pension recipients of cash payments from post offices from 2003 onwards.

Malcolm Wicks: holding answer 18 July 2002
	I refer my hon. Friend to the written answer I gave the hon. Member for Weston-super-Mare (Mr. Brian Cotter) on 11 June 2002, Official Report, column 874W.

Post Office (Cash Payments)

David Stewart: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the percentage of benefit and pension recipients who will wish to collect their benefit moneys (a) in cash from a post office and (b) by ACT payments in (i) 2003, (ii) 2004, (iii) 2005, (iv) 2006 and (v) 2007.

Malcolm Wicks: holding answer 18 July 2002
	Between 2003 and 2005 we will move to paying all benefits and pensions direct into bank accounts ("automated credit transfer" or ACT). Already over 40 per cent of customers are paid this way.
	Even where a customer is paid directly into an account, they can still collect their cash at the post office, either through existing Network Banking arrangements between Post Office Ltd and several banks or, from 2003, through universal banking services at post offices. We have not estimated how many customers will choose to access their accounts at post offices, but research suggests that many will do so.

Pension Inquiry

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when the recently started pension inquiry will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the methodology of this inquiry.

Ruth Kelly: I been asked to reply.
	The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.
	Letter from John Pullinger to Mr. Bill Wiggin dated 9 July 2002
	The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question on the pension inquiry. I am replying in his absence. (68993)
	The National Statistician announced the review of pension contribution statistics in a statement on 2 July. The terms of reference, which have been placed in the House of Commons Library, state that the review should be completed by the end of September 2002.
	The objectives of the review are:
	To establish what information is needed, in terms of frequency, scope and quality, and to advise on the best available data.
	To comment specifically on the quality, coverage and methodology of the range of sources of private pension contribution statistics available.
	To advise on how this data should be presented.
	To recommend appropriate action. The panel will include representatives from ONS, industry, academic experts, the Department for Work and Pensions, Inland Revenue, HM Treasury and the Government Actuary's Department.

Pensions Schemes

Martin Caton: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has to support defined benefit occupational pension schemes with taxation breaks.

Ruth Kelly: I have been asked to reply.
	The Government keeps all taxes under review as part of the normal Budget process.
	The Government already provides very generous tax relief to encourage saving in pensions for retirement, including upfront income tax relief and tax-free lump sums on retirement, at a cost to the Exchequer of over £14 billion a year.

Council Tax

Iain Coleman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has to adjust arrangements for council tax benefit restriction (a) thresholds and (b) caps in 2003–04.

Malcolm Wicks: I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to him on 19 December 2001, Official Report, column 383W.

Consultation Documents

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will list the public consulations undertaken by his Department since 1997, indicating for each consultation (a) if copies were available online, (b) if copies were available in print, (c) the date the time period given for responses opened and (d) the date the time period given for responses closed.

Brian Iddon: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how long the Department allowed for consultation on each consultation document it published in 2001 in (a) electronic and (b) printed form.

Malcolm Wicks: The Government's code of practice applies to written consultations which have a national impact on policy and services from January 2001. The Department for Work and Pensions came into being in June 2001. All copies of consultation documents are published online on both the Department for Work and Pensions and UK Online websites. Paper copies are also available.
	The Department for Work and Pensions follows the Cabinet Office's guidance on written consultation that sets 12 weeks as the standard minimum period for a consultation. The table lists the consultations the Department has begun, or completed since 8 June 2001. There were two occasions where shorter consultations have been conducted, and the reasons for this are included in the table. All the Department's consultations are published electronically with paper copies available.
	
		
			 Title of consultation Start date End Date Period in weeks Reason for shorter consultation 
		
		
			 Changes to Invalid Care Allowance July 2001 July 2001 12  
			 Amending the Vaccine Damage Payments Act 1979 July 2001 July 2001 12 
			 The Minimum Funding Requirement: The next stage of reform. Consultation on the draft Occupational Pension Schemes (Minimum Funding Requirement and Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2001 (Occupational Pensions Minimum funding requirements) September 2001 September 2001 12  
			 Occupational Pension Scheme Winding up Notices and Reports (etc) Regulations 2001 August 2001 October 2001 12  
			 Occupational and Personal Pension schemes (Disclosure of Information) Amendment Regulations 2001 August 2001 November 2001 12  
			 Private Pensions Simplification October 2001 January 2002 14  
			 Bulk transfer of accrued pensions rights without member consent December 2001 March 2002 13  
			 Revised code of practice on for gathering of information as required in Social Security Fraud Act 2001 April 2002 April 2002 2 weeks This was a follow-up to a previous exercise to which minor technical changes were introduced. 
			 Consultation on Three Recommendations in the Myners' report—"Institutional Investment in the UK—a review." February 2002 May 2002 12  
			 Member nominated trustees and directors February 2002 March 2002 4 weeks The shorter period was needed to fit into a regulatory timetable. 
			 Measuring Child Poverty April 2002 July 2002 12  
			 Occupational Pensions Regulatory Authority (OPRA) quinquennial review May 2002 August 2002 12  
			 The future of the Residential Allowance component of Income Support, Minimum Income Guarantee and Jobseeker's Allowance May 2002 August 2002 14  
			 Equality, opportunity, and independence for all [RRAA] May 2002 September 2002 17

Consultation Documents

Brian Iddon: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many consultation documents published in 2001 in (a) electronic and (b) printed form his Department has monitored and evaluated in accordance with the Cabinet Office code of practice on written consultations.

Malcolm Wicks: In accordance with the Government's guidance on written consultation the Department for Work and Pensions evaluates all written consultation documents.

Consultation Documents

Brian Iddon: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many complaints his Department has received about its 2001 consultations by (a) electronic and (b) printed means.

Malcolm Wicks: Of the consultations published by the Department of Work and Pensions since its inception, we have received one complaint on one document. This concerned the clarity of the wording of a specific proposal. Officials ensured that the point was clarified and gave additional time for a response, resolving the issue to the satisfaction of all parties.

Devolution

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when the EU Advisory Committee on incentives in the field of employment is next due to meet; whether representatives of the Scottish Executive (a) have been and (b) are members of it; and if he will make a statement.

Malcolm Wicks: The Committee on Community measures in the field of employment is due to meet next on 12 November 2002. Each Member State can only have one representative and for the UK the representative is drawn from the Department for Work and Pensions. That is because the business of the Committee is largely about the European Employment Strategy and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions has lead responsibility for the Strategy. However, my right hon. Friends the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, the Scottish Executive Ministers, Secretaries of the National Assembly for Wales and the Northern Ireland Executive Ministers also have an interest. There is close contact between relevant officials to ensure that Ministerial responsibility is properly represented.

Devolution

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when the EU Committee of the European Social Fund is next due to meet; whether representatives of the Scottish Executive (a) have been and (b) are members of it; and if he will make a statement.

Malcolm Wicks: The Committee of the European Social Fund (ESF) is next due to meet on 27 September 2002. Representatives from the Scottish Executive have attended the Committee but are not members.

Funeral Grant

John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his estimate is of the cost of an average funeral; what the value is of the funeral grant; what items it covers; and he will make a statement.

Malcolm Wicks: We are committed to providing a payment for a respectful funeral to people receiving income-related benefits or tax credits who have good reason for organising the funeral. Social Fund Funeral Payments provide help with necessary funeral charges; the items covered are set out in regulation 7 of the Social Fund Maternity and Funeral Expenses (General) Regulations 1987, as amended, which are available in the Library.
	In addition, up to £600 is allowed for other funeral expenses. This gives the person arranging the funeral the freedom to select the items or services they consider appropriate.
	Funeral arrangements vary widely in expense and type across the country and it is not possible to price an average funeral. However, the average Funeral Payment award in 2000–2001 was £892. We keep the level of support provided to people with funeral costs under review.

Press Subscriptions

Tim Yeo: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will list the magazines and periodicals subscribed to by his Department, stating for each subscription (i) the number of copies taken, and (ii) the annual cost.

Nick Brown: holding answer 26 April 2002
	Details of subscriptions taken by the Department's library and legal library have been placed in the Library. Subscriptions may also be taken at local level and information about these is not collected centrally.

Buildings Value

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will list the buildings owned by his Department and estimate the market value of each of them.

Malcolm Wicks: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary (Paul Boateng) on 3 July, Official Report, column 339W.

LORD CHANCELLOR

Domestic Violence

Vera Baird: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many hours of training are provided for judges and magistrates in relation to domestic violence.

Yvette Cooper: Judicial Training is the responsibility of the Judicial Studies Board (JSB) which is an independent non-departmental public body. It is chaired by Lord Justice Waller.
	All newly appointed part-time judges, and all judges who are authorised to hear family cases, are required to attend a residential Induction course in the relevant jurisdiction. Thereafter, both full- and part-time judges attend residential continuation seminars every 3 years in each jurisdiction they exercise. The amount of training time provided on Domestic Violence in JSB courses and seminars is shown in the annexed table. Many judges also attend locally organised conferences.
	In addition all full and part-time judges sitting in the Crown Court attend an annual one-day Circuit Seminar on sentencing issues, for which the theme last year was Domestic Violence. This provided, on average, up to 5 hours of additional training on this subject in 2000–2001
	Although the overall framework for the training of magistrates is set by the JSB, statutory responsibility for delivery of training lies with individual Magistrates' Courts Committees. Information on the number of hours training on domestic Information on the number of hours training on domestic violence provided to magistrates in each committee area could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
	
		Time provided on Training for Judges in relation to Domestic Violence
		
			 Course/Seminar Lecture Group Discussion 
		
		
			 Criminal Induction  Sentencing exercise (15 mins) 
			 Criminal Continuation  Sentencing exercise (15 mins) 
			 Civil Induction Domestic Violence 15 mins  
			 Civil Induction Committals 15 mins  
			 Civil Continuation Judicial Responses to Violence in the Home. 45 mins Syndicate Exercises (45 mins) 
			 Induction Course for District Judges Authorised under Section 8 Children Act 1989 Emergency Applications (45 mins) Syndicate Exercises (45 mins) 
			  Current Issues in Contact and Making Contact Work (20 mins)  
			 Seminar for Potential Care Judges Proof of Fact in Physical/Sexual Abuse (15 mins)  
			 Induction (Private Family Law) Proof of Fact in Physical/Sexual Abuse Cases (15mins) Applications for Syndicate discussion (1 hour 30 mins) 
			  Contact (4 hours) This comprises a talk by a circuit Judge with particular reference to the decision by the Court of Appeal in the case of Re LVMH, this report by Drs Sturge and Glaser and the Guidelines produced by the Advisory Board on Family Law. A talk by a Child psychiatrist and a plenary discussion Exclusion Orders and Non Molestation Orders (40 mins) 
			 Continuation (Private Family Law) Split Trials in Domestic Violence Cases (15 mins) Syndicate discussion (1 hour 30 mins) 
			  Psychiatric Perspective of Children with a Violent Parent (45 mins)  
			  Injunctions and Committals (1 hour)

Open Source Software

Brian White: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what his policy is towards using open source software; and what percentage is used in his Department.

Yvette Cooper: The Lord Chancellor's Department ICT Strategy (www.courtservice.gov.uk/info/reps/ict strategy.pdf) is committed to the use of open standards and the Department will follow the Government policy on the use of Open Source Software which is due to be published later in the summer. The draft policy on this subject is currently available at http://www.govtalk.gov.uk/rfc/rfc document.asp?docnum=429.
	No percentage figures are available for usage within the Department, however the current deployment of Open Source Software is limited to a small number of specialist applications.

County Court Judgments

John Gummer: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans there are to take payment of fines, pursuant to County Court judgments by switch and debit cards.

Yvette Cooper: County Court judgments are principally paid directly to the person who is owed the money. Court leaflets advise the defendant to liaise with the claimant on which method of payment is most suitable, but suggest using a method which provides proof of payment. The only circumstance where payment of a judgment debt will be accepted by a court is where enforcement has been initiated, for example through a bailiff's warrant. In 2000 the Court Service piloted a system which gave the defendant the option of paying his/her judgment debt by debit card. The take up rate of this service was very low so it was decided not to implement this system across the courts at that time. We will keep this issue under review.
	At present fines issued by county court judges for contempt of court can only be paid by cash or cheque. The Court Service is considering ways of providing court users with more choices in a number of areas, including payment methods. For instance, users can already issue a claim on line via the internet and pay the fee for that claim using a debit or credit card.

European Parliamentary Elections

David Drew: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department 
	(1)  what consultations were entered into with hon. Members prior to the second reading of the European Parliamentary Elections Bill [Lords];
	(2)  what research his Department has undertaken on open lists, with specific reference to the European Parliamentary Elections Bill [Lords].

Yvette Cooper: The European Parliamentary Elections Bill is a consolidation Bill, which re-states in a single Bill the law currently contained in a number of Acts, without any change to its substance. It was considered by the Joint Committee on Consolidation Bills, a committee of both Houses, in the usual way.

Fines

Nick Gibb: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, what proportion of fine-defaulters were in full time employment since 1990.

Yvette Cooper: pursuant to her reply, 9 July
	This information is currently not collected centrally. In 1994–1995, the Home Office conducted a survey of 2,000 offenders who appeared in means courts. It found that only 20 per cent of male and 11 per cent of female offenders in the sample had any sort of job. We are considering ways to collect more information on the means of offenders.

Ambulance Staff (Attacks)

Tim Loughton: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many offenders have been prosecuted by the Crown Prosecution Service in 2002 for attacks against ambulance service staff.

Harriet Harman: I have been asked to reply. 
	The Crown Prosecution Service do not hold this information centrally and could only provide it at a disproportionate cost.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Temporary Staff

Kevin McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the cost to his Department was of employing staff in (a) London and (b) south-east from employment agencies in each year since 1997.

Denis MacShane: holding answer of 16 May
	The cost to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office from employing staff in London and the south east from employment agencies in each financial year since 1997 is as follows:
	
		
			 Financial Year £ 
		
		
			 1997–98 445,944 
			 1998–99 804,788 
			 1999–2000 971,657 
			 2000–01 1,255,817 
			 2001–02 1,933,841

Western Sahara

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations have been made by UK representatives to the UN Security Council concerning the General Secretary's special report on Western Sahara to be discussed on 31 July; and if he will make a statement.

Mike O'Brien: The UN Secretary General asked Security Council members to choose a suitable direction for his special envoy James Baker to pursue in helping the parties find a solution to the dispute in Western Sahara.
	We have been working with all Security Council members in New York and in their capitals, and have consulted the parties and interested observers in an effort to reach a consensus direction before 31 July.
	HMG continues to support the efforts of the United Nations Secretary General in trying to find a just and durable resolution to the dispute.

Western Sahara

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what visits to the Western Sahara have been made by UK diplomatic staff in the past year; which (a) individuals and (b) organisations they met; and if he will make a statement.

Mike O'Brien: Five members of UK diplomatic staff from our Embassies in Rabat and New York have visited Western Sahara in the last year.
	The primary purpose of these was to visit MINURSO. Where time and schedules allowed they met as wide a range of Moroccan and Saharawi interests groups as possible. They also met UNHCR and OAU representatives.

Sudan

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Sudanese Government regarding its willingness to ratify the Convention Against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment.

Denis MacShane: The Sudanese government has signed the Convention Against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment. The Embassy in Khartoum has regularly lobbied the Government of Sudan to ratify the Convention. The Head of the joint FCO/DFID Sudan Unit also lobbied the Government of Sudan last month. We expect the Sudanese Government to present a Bill to Parliament in the near future.

Indonesia

Oona King: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the recent violence in the Moluccas Islands directed towards Christians and other minorities by the Liskar Jihad movement, and the breakdown of the Malino Peace Agreement between the Christian and Muslim communities.

Mike O'Brien: Tensions remain high in the Moluccas with Christian and Muslim extremists trying to undermine the Malino Agreement. HMG deplores the continuing violence. The Indonesian Government is taking steps to improve coordination between the army, police and the civilian governor, including the appointment of a new regional military commander. A National Investigation Team has been appointed by the President to assess the progress of the Malino Agreement and to draw attention to areas of concern. We have offered to share with police officers in the Moluccas the UK experience of policing inter-communal conflict.

Indonesia

Oona King: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action the UK Government are taking to encourage the Indonesian Government to promote inter-faith dialogue between the groups and to prosecute persons responsible for inciting violence between religious communities.

Mike O'Brien: The FCO is sponsoring a visit to Indonesia by a mixed-faith delegation of Westminster Parliamentarians from 28 July to 2 August. The visit aims, amongst other things, to discuss inter-faith initiatives in Indonesia. The UK Government supports the Malino Agreement for the Moluccas and encourages the Indonesian Government to pursue inter-faith solutions to cummunal conflict.
	Indonesian authorities have arrested Laskar Jihad leader Ja'far Umar Thalib and Maluku Sovereignty Front leader Alex Manuputty, and are pursuing prosecutions against them. They have also sent additional judges and prosecuters to the Moluccas to tackle a back-log of criminal cases.

Nepal

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of Nepal regarding reports of unlawful killings by Government security forces; and if he will make a statement.

Mike O'Brien: We have consistently made clear to the Nepalese government the need for Nepal to fulfill its international obligations in the field of human rights, and to investigate in a fair and transparent way any allegations of abuses of human rights. We have raised this issue with the Nepalese government at all levels and on numerous occasions. We have also lobbied in conjunction with other EU Member States to ensure the investigation of recent allegations of abuses by security forces in the Chitwan district—an investigation which led to disciplinary action being taken by the Army. We also lobbied for the investigation of recent allegations concerning the fate of the journalist Krishna Sen. We have made clear that continued international support for Nepal is dependent on firm action being taken to maintain human rights and investigate allegations of human rights abuses.

China

Dave Watts: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he had during his visit to China about trade.

Denis MacShane: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary had a substantive discussion with Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan, during which our commercial interests in the oil and gas, ports and aerospace sectors were raised. In addition, the state of our bilateral commercial relationship was discussed more generally during talks with President Jiang Zemin.

Macedonia

John Randall: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to send observers to the parliamentary elections in Macedonia on 15 September.

Denis MacShane: The UK attaches great importance to the forthcoming parliamentary elections in Macedonia. Holding these elections successfully and peacefully will be an important step in Macedonia's progress towards integration into Euro-Atlantic structures. To support this process, the UK will be sending seventy-five short-term observers (deployed for a week), two medium-term observers (for three weeks) and three long-term observers who will be on the ground for six weeks. This is, as is normal, 10 per cent of the OSCE total.

European Security and Defence Policy

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will place a copy of the Ankara Document laying out the participation of non-EU NATO member countries in the ESDP in the Library.

Jack Straw: No. The arrangement for the participation of non-EU NATO member countries in ESDP are still under negotiation between the EU and NATO, and it would not assist the process of negotiation for the document to be made public.

Export Controls

Jeff Ennis: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the annual report on strategic export controls will be published.

Mike O'Brien: The 2001 annual report on Strategic Export Controls is being published today. It covers arms export licensing decisions and exports in 2001, as well as domestic and international policy developments. Since 1997, the reports have established themselves as among the most transparent produced by any arms exporting country, giving Parliament and public the ability to scrutinise our export licensing policy as never before. This year's Report will be a clear restatement of that commitment to accountability and transparency in Strategic Export controls. The report will be available on the FCO website (www.fco.gov.uk) and through the Stationery Office.

Gibraltar

John Stanley: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the dates of meetings that have taken place between British and Spanish ministers under the Brussels Process since it was set in place.

Peter Hain: On 10 April 1980 Lord Carrington and the Spanish Foreign Minister (Sr Oreja) agreed a joint statement (the Lisbon Declaration) "to start negotiations aimed at overcoming all the differences between them on Gibraltar". On 27 November 1984, Sir Geoffrey Howe and the Spanish Foreign Minister (Sr Moran) agreed the Brussels Communique which established a formal negotiating process under the Lisbon Declaration. The Brussels Communique stated that "Both sides accept that the issues of sovereignty will be discussed in that process". Between November 1984 and February 1999 more than 60 meetings (including 16 at ministerial level) were held under the Brussels Process. Since the relaunch of the Brussels Process in July 2001, three ministerial meetings have been held (on 26 July 2001, 20 November 2001 and 4 February 2002).

Gibraltar

Louise Ellman: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs who will construct the wording for any referendum in Gibraltar concerning its future status.

Peter Hain: No decisions have been made on the timing or modalities of any referendum because there is no Agreement to have a referendum about.

SOLICITOR-GENERAL

Private Finance Initiative

John Bercow: To ask the Solicitor-General what estimate she has made of the total savings to public funds of the Private Finance Initiative contract for the Docman IT project for the Serious Fraud Office by comparison with a non-Private Finance Initiative alternative.

Harriet Harman: holding answer 17 April 2002
	The original contract, which covered the Docman project as well as the provision of internal IT services was signed in January 1998.
	The reasons for taking the PFI route were:
	The size of the task was too great for the SFO to manage in house;
	The main task was the creation of an on-line document management system and this represented a major item of software which was to be written by suppliers;
	The contract transferred the majority of the project risk to the suppliers;
	The contract included a significant element of service, which permitted the suppliers to be paid in terms of the number of cases using the completed system.
	The whole project represented value for money. It is not practical to quantify the savings, which would have been made from adopting the PFI route as opposed to a non PFI route as the Docman project did not proceed on the lines planned. The contract was amended in September 2000 to exclude the Docman project. This is now being carried forward separately on a non-PFI basis. The first case went live on the Docman system in June 2002.

Comprehensive Spending Review

John Bercow: To ask the Solicitor-General how many staff have contributed to her Department's input to the Spending Review.

Harriet Harman: holding answer 12 July 2002
	The Spending Review involves a comprehensive assessment of the performance priorities and resource requirements of all the Departments for which the Attorney General is responsible and a range of staff make a contribution.

Performance Targets

Tony Wright: To ask the Solicitor-General if she will list the performance targets that her Department, its agencies and non-departmental public bodies are required to meet, apart from those set out in the public service agreements for 1999 to 2002 and 2001 to 2004; and if she will specify for each target (a) who sets it and (b) who monitors achievement against it.

Harriet Harman: holding answer 10 June 2002
	There are many performance targets contained in public service agreements or service delivery agreements that affect the Departments for which the Attorney General is responsible. Government targets set and monitored centrally cover a range of initiatives and projects. The information provided below is based on additional performance targets: Crown Prosecution Service
	Apart from those set out in the public service agreements for 1999–2002 and 2001 to 2004, the CPS Business Plan for 2002–03 requires the following targets to be met:
	Serving committal papers to the defence within agreed timescales in 80 per cent of cases.
	Submitting briefs to counsel within agreed timescales in 83.5 per cent of cases.
	Reducing to 6 per 100,000 the number of cases dismissed on a submission of no case to answer in the magistrates' courts which are attributable to failures in the review process.
	Reducing to 5 cases per 1,000 the number of nonjury acquittals in the Crown Court which are attributable to failures in the review process.
	Increasing to 86 per cent the proportion of relevant cases where the prosecution comply with statutory duties of primary disclosure.
	Increasing to 83 per cent the proportion of relevant cases where the prosecution comply with statutory duties of secondary disclosure.
	Increasing to 7 per cent the proportion of advocates whose performance is significantly above normal requirements.
	Targets are set by the CPS Board and achievement against targets is monitored quarterly by the CPS Resources and Performance Group, who report to the CPS Board. Treasury Solicitor's Department
	The Treasury Solicitor's Department has one published target whish is not incorporated in the current Public Service Agreements. This relates to ill-health retirements. The Treasury Solicitor's Department will be seeking to achieve a level of ill health retirements consistent with or better than the best quartile of 3.72 retirements per 1,000 employees by 2005. The target is st by the Attorney General and achievement is monitored by the Treasury Solicitor. HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate
	The purpose of the Inspectorate is to promote continuous improvement in the efficiency, effectiveness and fairness of the prosecution services within a joined-up criminal justice system through a process of inspection and evaluation, the provision of advice and the identification of good practice.
	The Inspectorate strives to achieve excellence in all aspects of its activities and in particular to provide customers and stakeholders with consistent and professional inspection and evaluation processes together with advice and guidance, all measured against recognised quality standards and defined performance levels.
	In the year 2002–03 the Inspectorate is committed to:
	completing the first cycle of inspections of CPS Areas and Headquarters Directorates;
	consulting with CPS Headquarters and Areas on its approach to, and the planning and organisation of, the second cycle;
	commencing the second cycle of CPS inspection activity;
	undertaking the pilot inspection of Manchester Customs and Excise prosecution function;
	conducting a joint inspection of West Midlands with HM Inspectorate of Constabulary and HM Magistrates' Courts Service Inspectorate;
	continuing with thematic and joint inspection activity.
	The Inspectorate's strategic plan for 2002–05 contains four strategic objectives and its Business Plan for 2002–03 contains 28 objectives which, taken together, provide the targets against which current Inspectorate performance will be judged.
	These objectives are systematically measured against criteria set out in the annual Business Plan which also contains a series of challenging deadlines for the achievement of each objective.
	The Inspectorate's Strategic and Business Plans are agreed by its management team in consultation with the Attorney General's Advisory Board. Progress against the Business Plan objectives is monitored monthly by the management team on the basis of information collected and supplied by the Inspectorate's Corporate Services Manager. At each of its meetings, the Advisory Board receives a report detailing the action which the Inspectorate has taken towards the achievement of its objectives.
	Further monitoring is provided by the quarterly and annual reports which the Chief Inspector provides for the Attorney General.

Entertainment Costs

John Bercow: To ask the Solicitor-General what the cost was of the Department's 2001 staff Christmas party; and how many people attended.

Harriet Harman: holding answer 18 June 2002
	Any Christmas parties for staff in any of the Departments for which the Attorney General is responsible will have been financed by the staff themselves.
	Information on their cost or numbers of attendees is not held.

Serious Fraud Office Annual Report

Helen Jones: To ask the Solicitor-General when the Director of the Serious Fraud Office will publish her Annual report.

Harriet Harman: I have today placed copies of the Annual Report in the libraries of the House.

Review of the Year

Helen Jones: To ask the Solicitor-General when the law officers will publish their "Review of the Year".

Harriet Harman: I have today placed copies of the Law Officers' "Review of the Year" in the libraries of the House.

Overseas Visits

John Bercow: To ask the Solicitor-General if she will list the overseas trips on departmental business that have been undertaken in each of the last five years by officials in her Department; and what the (a) cost, (b) purpose and (c) result was in each case.

Harriet Harman: holding answer 12 July 2002
	All overseas travel by officials in the Departments for which the Attorney General is responsible is undertaken in accordance with the principles set out in Chapter 8 of the Civil Service Management Code. The detailed information requested about individual trips is not held centrally and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

Ministerial Salaries

John Bercow: To ask the Solicitor-General what the annual cost was of Ministerial salaries in her Department in (a) 1997–98 and (b) 2001–02.

Harriet Harman: holding answer 17 June 2002
	The following information relates to the financial year and the figures comprise of the salaries paid to the individuals together with Employer's Related National Insurance Contributions.
	6 April 1997–5 April 1998
	£141,044.89
	6 April 2001–5 April 2002
	£179,231.82

Staff Training

John Bercow: To ask the Solicitor-General how much the Department has spent on staff training and development in each of the last five years.

Harriet Harman: holding reply 17 June 2002
	The amount spent by each of the Departments for which the Attorney General is responsible in each of the last five years is set out below. Crown Prosecution Service
	
		
			  £ 
		
		
			 1997–98 1,234,217 
			 1998–99 1,339,271 
			 1999–2000 2,069,216 
			 2000–01 2,700,903 
			 2001–02 5,620,922 
		
	
	Serious Fraud Office
	
		
			  £ 
		
		
			 1996–97 127,051 
			 1997–98 134,962 
			 1998–99 124,949 
			 1999–2000 180,936 
			 2000–01 237,996 
		
	
	Treasury Solicitor's Department
	Figures for the last four years are:
	
		
			  £ 
		
		
			 1998–99 213,460 
			 1999–2000 230,690 
			 2000–01 337,900 
			 2001–02 402,080 
		
	
	Legal Secretariat to the Law Officers
	
		
			  £ 
		
		
			 1998–99 13,820 
			 1999–2000 8,800 
			 2000–01 11,750 
			 2001–02 10,500 
		
	
	HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate
	Information is only available for the year 2001–02 as before 1st April 2001 the Inspectorate was part of the Crown Prosecution Service and training costs form part of the figures provided by the CPS. The sum expended on training in 2001–02 was £26,600.

Staff Numbers

John Bercow: To ask the Solicitor-General how many staff were employed by his Department on (a) 2 May 1997 and (b) 31 May 2002.

Harriet Harman: holding answer 17 June 2002
	I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by my hon. Friend the Minister of State, Cabinet Office on 13 June 2002, Official Report, column 1402W.

Staff Pay

John Bercow: To ask the Solicitor-General what the cost in 2001–02 was of the pay increase to staff in her Department, agencies and the non-departmental public bodies for which she is responsible; and what the cost of the forthcoming increase will be in 2002–03.

Harriet Harman: holding answer 18 April 2002
	Figures are only available for the year 2001–02.
	The figures for the Departments for which the Attorney General is responsible are as follows:
	Crown Prosecution Service
	£12.7 million
	Serious Fraud Office
	£303,000
	Treasury Solicitor's Department (which includes Legal Secretariat to the Law Officers and HM cps Inspectorate)
	£1,065,000

Departmental Expenditure Limit

John Bercow: To ask the Solicitor-General how much and what proportion of the departmental expenditure limit for 2002–03 will be accounted for by staff costs; what the figures were for 2001–02; and if she will make a statement.

Harriet Harman: holding answer 17 June 2002
	Figures for the year 2001–02 are not yet available.
	The departmental expenditure limit for the Treasury Solicitor's Department, which also includes expenditure by the Legal Secretariat to the Law Officers and HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate, is set in net terms and takes account of receipts from charges to client Departments for legal services provided to them. It would be misleading, therefore, to show staff costs as a percentage of that figure. However, after allowing for receipts, £24,773,000 (60 per cent.) of Treasury Solicitor's Department's gross administrative costs were accounted for by staff costs in 2001–02.
	The departmental expenditure limit for the Serious Fraud Office for 2001–02 was £21,850,000, of which staff costs amounted to £7,785,000 (35.6 per cent.).
	The departmental expenditure limit for the Crown Prosecution Service for 2001–02 was £402,200,000, of which staff costs amounted to £196,600,000 (49 per cent.).

Departmental Expenditure Limit

John Bercow: To ask the Solicitor-General how much and what proportion of the departmental expenditure limit for 2002–03 had been spent by 31 May; what the figures were for 2001–02; and if she will make a statement.

Harriet Harman: holding reply 17 June 2002
	Reliable estimates for 2002–03 spending to 31 May are not available. Estimated outturn spending figures for 2001–02 can be found in Public Expenditure Statistical Analyses 2002–03 published in May 2002 as Command Paper 5401.

Crown Prosecution Service

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Solicitor-General which categories of important cases require the CPS to communicate directly with complainants; and what the purpose and outcome is of these communications.

Harriet Harman: holding answer 10 June 2002
	Under the current Victim's Charter the CPS must, on request, meet families bereaved as a result of crime in order to explain the decision on prosecution.
	In addition, in April 2001 the CPS commenced a phased programme of implementation of the Direct Communication with Victims initiative. This follows recommendations made by Sir William MacPherson and Sir Ian Glidewell. All Areas who have implemented this initiative now:
	provide all identifiable victims with a written explanation when the prosecution decide to discontinue their case, or alter charges substantially; and
	in cases involving child abuse, sexual offences or racially aggravated offences, offer to meet victims to explain the basis of the decision if a further explanation is required.
	Full national implementation will be completed by October 2002.

Crown Prosecution Service

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Solicitor-General if she will make a statement on the (a) reasons for and (b) impact of significant staff turnover within the (i) Derbyshire, (ii) Hertfordshire, (iii) Humberside and (iv) North Wales CPS regions, with reference to the training budget as a proportion of turnover on 1 January.

Harriet Harman: holding answer 12 June 2002
	As with any large organisation, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has turnover of staff. Table 1 (attached) shows that, there has not been a significant staff turnover in Derbyshire, Hertfordshire, Humberside or North Wales CPS, over the last twelve months, as compared to the national average for the CPS. The main reason for the loss of staff has been resignations.
	In recent months Derbyshire, Hertfordshire, Humberside have seen an increase in the number of staff employed.
	Loss of staff, particularly if they are experienced, impacts on the working of any organisation. New staff requires induction and training, which may vary from going on appropriate courses to "on the job" training. Inevitably this affects the training budget. It also means new staff members take some time before they are fully effective. However, the introduction of new staff, especially where they represent an addition to the existing numbers, is to be welcomed.
	Table 2 (attached) shows the proportion of each local Area budget spent on training against their total running costs.
	
		Table 1 -- 2000
		
			 Area Staff In Post (SIP) 1.1.00 Resignations* Transfers to other Govt Depts. per cent Turnover SIP 31.12.00 Difference 
		
		
			 Derbyshire 76.03 10  13.5 71.09 -4.13 
			 Hertfordshire 62.95 15  24.9 57.26 -5.69 
			 Humberside 76.38 7  9 78.76 2.38 
			 North Wales 62.3 6  9.9 58.25 -4.05 
		
	
	* All leavers during the year 1.1.00–31.12.00 as a Head Count.
	
		2001
		
			 Area SIP 1.1.01 Resignations Transfers to other Govt Depts. per cent Turnover SIP 31.12.01 Difference 
		
		
			 Derbyshire 71.09 8  10.2 85.53 14.44 
			 Hertfordshire 57.26 1.97  3 73.25 15.99 
			 Humberside 78.76 5  6.4 76.21 -2.55 
			 North Wales 58.25 1.49 1 4.1 60.91 2.66 
			 National 
			 (42 Areas)5.9   
		
	
	
		2002
		
			 Area SIP 1.1.02 Resignations Transfers to other Govt Depts. per cent Turnover SIP 31.05.02 Difference 
		
		
			 Derbyshire 85.53 3  3.3 92.11 6.58 
			 Hertfordshire 73.25 1  1.3 76.57 3.32 
			 Humberside 76.21 1  1.2 83.5 7.29 
			 North Wales 60.91 0.51  0.8 59.93 -0.98 
			 National 
			 (42 Areas)  Jan, Feb & 
			 March  1.9   
		
	
	
		Table 2 -- Table Showing Proportion of Area Budget Spent on Training 1.4.01–31.3.02 Against Total Running Costs Allocation.
		
			 Area Running Costs Training Costs per cent 
		
		
			 Derbyshire 3,136,018 26,800 0.85 
			 Hertfordshire 2,731,565 6,700 0.25 
			 Humberside 2,808,450 12,716 0.45 
			 North Wales 2,361,101 5,560 0.24

Crown Prosecution Service

David Laws: To ask the Solicitor-General what proportion of advocacy by the Crown Prosecution Service met the CPS's advocacy standards in each year since 1997; and if she will make a statement.

Harriet Harman: holding answer 11 July 2002
	Advocacy standards form a part of the annual performance appraisal of all Crown Prosecutors and performance assessment markings are awarded to reflect the individual's overall performance throughout the whole reporting period. In each of the years since 1997, more than 99 per cent of Crown Prosecutors received a performance assessment marking of Box 3 (Performance fully meets the standard required) or better in advocacy standards.
	HMCPSI include advocacy standards as part of their inspections of each CPS Area. These are reported in their individual inspection reports but there is no aggregation of data in relation to any specific aspect of an Area's performance.
	Under the Department's training of Higher Court Advocates, candidates must additionally pass an assessment managed by the Nottingham Law School before they can be considered for deployment as advocates in the Crown Courts.

ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Animal Health and Welfare

Eric Martlew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on animal health and welfare expenditure trends shown in the Departmental report for 2002.

Elliot Morley: Tables 5.1 to 5.5 in the Departmental Report for 2002 contain a number of errors. These arose from differences in the way information is loaded on central data bases, complications with compiling historical information following the recent Machinery of Government changes, and the re-structuring of DEFRA with the revised objectives that followed. Unfortunately, the tight timetable for producing these tables interfered with the quality assurance procedures that would normally have applied.
	The Department's quality assurance procedures are being revised to prevent similar errors in future. Meanwhile, work is in hand to re-issue corrected tables. This is a significant task involving the re-loading of central data bases which are subject to a number of timetable constraints. The intention is to provide revised figures by the Autumn.
	Meanwhile, it is possible to clarify that underlying provision for resources available to control animal disease have risen in real terms over the period as follows:
	
		£ million 
		
			 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 
			 Cash Outturn Cash Outturn Provisional Resource Outturn Resource Budget 
		
		
			 152 183 159 206 
		
	
	These figures exclude expenditure incurred on foot and mouth disease, given this was funded centrally out of the Reserve. The drop seen in 2001–02 can be explained by the diversion of state veterinary staff to tackling foot and mouth disease.

Veterinary Laboratories Agency

Kevin Brennan: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what targets she has set the Veterinary Laboratories Agency for 2002–03.

Elliot Morley: I have set the Veterinary Laboratories Agency the following performance targets for 2002–03. Quality of Service
	1. To maintain current third party accreditations.
	2. To achieve ISO9000 accreditation for the TSE Archive. Service Delivery
	3. To achieve a minimum of 85 per cent of ROAME project milestones.
	4. To meet 95 per cent of published turnaround time for export tests.
	5. To set a baseline for the customer satisfaction survey. Efficiency
	6. To achieve £500k savings on procurement spending.
	7. To achieve a 3 per cent improvement of overheads against turnover using the baseline established in 2001–02. Financial Performance
	8. To recover from Government Departments, Agencies and external customers, the full economic costs of the Agency's services.

Fisheries

Annabelle Ewing: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether Spain's Northern quota entitlements expire at the end of 2002 unless renewed, reduced or extended by agreement at the EC level prior to that date; and whether the same position will apply to Portugal.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 8 July 2002
	Yes. Our interpretation is that the special northern quota entitlements outlined in the Spanish Treaty of Accession will expire at the end of 2002, but that they will stand to be taken into account when determining future quota allocations in accordance with relative stability.

Small Farms

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much has been paid to small family farms in (a) Scotland, (b) Wales and (c) England in each of the last five years for environmental schemes.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 17 July 2002
	Average environmental scheme payments to small full-time farms in England as recorded by the Farm Business Survey are given in the table. Requests for information on payments in Scotland should be referred to the Scottish parliament. Requests for information on payments in Wales should be referred to the National Assembly for Wales.
	
		Average environmental scheme* payments to full-time small farms in England (£ per farm)
		
			  1996–97 1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 
		
		
			 England 350 450 630 990 980 
		
	
	*Includes Environmentally sensitive area, organic farming, organic aid, countryside stewardship, woodland grant, farm woodland premium, nitrate sensitive area, moorland, habitat, countryside access and SSSI schemes

Biodiversity

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the (a) loss and (b) creation of UK biodiversity action plan habitat since the 1992 Rio Earth Summit as a result of (i) inland flood defence schemes and (ii) coastal flood defence schemes.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 10 July 2002
	In 1999, under High Level Target 9, DEFRA put in place a mechanism for operating authorities to report losses and gains of Biodiversity Action Plan habitats as a result of flood management works. The first annual report was produced for DEFRA in July 2001. This report indicates an overall gain in BAP habitats during the reporting year of 53.37 Ha of fresh water habitats (plus 200 metres of chalk river) and 112.84 Ha of coastal or intertidal habitat. Copies of the 2000–01 report are available from Flood Management Division of DEFRA and annual reports will be available in subsequent years.

Environmentally Sensitive Areas

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much money her Department has successfully reclaimed from (a) the Duke of Richmond and (b) the Earl of March in respect of overpayments relating to the ESA scheme; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 12 July 2002
	The Goodwood Estates Company Limited entered into an Environmentally Sensitive Areas agreement in 1992. The area involved covered some 400 hectares. Some of the land, comprising less than 10 per cent of this area, was subsequently used for other purposes. The department reclaimed the relevant proportion of ESA support from the company, plus interest.

Environment Agency

Eric Martlew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she expects to issue a revised management statement to the Environment Agency.

Michael Meacher: I am please to inform the House that the Management Statement has been issued to the Environment Agency today. The statement sets out: the relationships between the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the Welsh Assembly Government, exercising powers delegated by the National Assembly for Wales, and the Environment Agency; the framework within which the Agency will operate; and other guidance relevant to its functions. The Management Statement has been drawn up in consultation with the Agency and is being issued jointly with the Welsh Assembly Government.
	A copy of the Statement has today been placed in the libraries of both Houses.

Home Energy Efficiency Scheme

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  how many calls have been received by (a) Eaga Partnership and (b) TXU Warm Front Ltd. call centres in each (i) local authority area and (ii) Government office region about delays in installations under the home energy efficiency scheme in each quarter for which information is available;
	(2)  what proportion of heating installations have been completed by (a) Eaga Partnership and (b) TXU Warm Front Ltd. in each (i) local authority and (ii) Government office region in (A) less than a month, (B) one to two months, (C) two to three months, (D) three to four months, (E) four to five months, (F) five to six months, (G) six to seven months and (H) over seven months.

Michael Meacher: holding answer 18 March 2002
	The Home Energy Efficiency Scheme has an overall target of improving 800,000 properties in the period 2000–04. Between June 2000 and March 2002, in excess of 113,000 heating measures were installed.
	The remaining information requested is not available without incurring disproportionate costs. But I have previously written to the hon. Member with information regarding measures installed under the Home Energy Efficiency Scheme. A copy of the letter and the data has been placed in the library of the House.

Home Energy Efficiency Scheme

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list the (a) types and (b) numbers of energy efficiency and conservation measures installed by (i) Eaga Partnership and (ii) TXU Warm Front Ltd in each (A) local authority and (B) Government office region in each of the last four quarters for which information is available.

Michael Meacher: holding answer 18 March 2002
	The Home Energy Efficiency Scheme has an overall target of improving 800,000 properties in the period 2000–04. Between June 2000 and March 2002 almost 998,000 measures were installed under the scheme.
	To provide the data in the form requested would incur disproportionate costs. But I have previously written to the hon. Member with information regarding measures installed under the Home Energy Efficiency Scheme. A copy of the letter and the data has been placed in the library of the House.

Water Level Management

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list the water level management plans being implemented; and what percentage of the total number of water level management plans this represents.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 17 July 2002
	According to our records, there are 90 Water Level Management Plans (WLMPs) currently being implemented on the following sites:
	Gordano Valley
	Puxton Moor PSSSI
	Yanal Bog
	Fancott Woods & Meadows
	Tebworth Marsh
	Alderford Common
	Delph Bridge Drain
	Holme Fen
	Shippea Hill (Geol)
	Soham Wet Horse Fen
	Stow Cum Quy Fen
	Pevensey Levels
	Ashleworth Ham
	Chaceley Meadow
	Upper Severn Estuary
	Walmore Common
	Burley Dene Meadows
	Moseley Common
	Barton and Barrow Clay Pits
	Haxey Grange Fen
	North Killingholme Pits PSSSI
	South Cliffe, Hotham Carr & North Cliffe
	Holborough-Burham Marshes
	Preston Marshes
	Sandwich Bay & Hacklinge Marshes
	Stodmarsh
	Bratoft Meadows
	Horbling Fen
	Tattershall Old Gravel Pits
	Petney Blow Wells
	Ant Broads & Marshes
	Aslacton Parish Land
	Badley Moor
	Beetley & Hoe Meadows
	Booton Common
	Broad Fen Ditham
	Bryants Heath, Felmingham
	Burgh Common & Muckfleet Marshes
	Buxton Heath
	Calthorpe Broad
	Damgate Marshes, Acle
	Decoy Carr, Acle
	Dersingham Bog
	East Ruston Common
	Flordon Common
	Halvergate Marshes
	Ludham-Potter Heigham Marsh
	Potter & Scarning Fens
	Priory Meadows
	Roydon Common Sea Mere
	Hingham
	Shallam Dyke Marshes
	Smallburgh Fen
	Swannington Upgate Common
	Upper Thurne Broads & Marshes
	Upton Broads & Marshes
	Whitewell Common
	Winterton to Horsey Dunes
	Yare Broads & Marshes
	Aubert Ings (River Midd)
	Bishop Monkton Ings
	Burr Closes
	Farnham Mires
	Forlorn Hope Meadow
	Hay-A-Park SSSI
	Heslington Tillmire
	Kirkby Wharfe
	Skipworth Common
	Mission Line Bank
	Mission Training Area
	Moorlinch
	Tealham & Tadham Moors
	Shirley Pool
	Went Ings Meadows
	Baswich Meadows
	Doxey & Tillington Marshes
	Rawbones Meadow
	Fox Fritillary Meadow, Framsden
	Lakenheath Poors Fen
	Minsmere/Walberswick: Tinker's Marsh
	Minsmere/Walberswick: Southwold Town Marshes
	Minsmere/Walberswick: Minsmere
	Minsmere/Walberswick: West Wood and Dingle Marshes
	Minsmere/Walberswick: Home Covert Marshes
	North Warren and Thorpeness
	Meare
	Pashford Poors Fen (Lakenheath)
	Sizewell Marshes
	Wilde Street Meadow
	Amberley Wild Brooks
	Pagham Harbour
	Waltham Brooks
	This represents 18 per cent of the total number of WLMPs. However this list does not include sites where the WLMP did not identify any changes to be implemented, or sites where the plan identified a need for further monitoring before effecting any changes. The implementation of a number of other plans was delayed by and access restrictions during the foot and mouth outbreak.

Water Level Management

Helen Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps her Department are taking to ensure that water level management plans comply with the EC Water Framework Directive; how many completed water level management plans comply with the EC Habitats and Birds Directives; and what steps she is taking to ensure that water level management plans deliver conservation benefits.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 11 July 2002
	When the EC Water Framework Directive is transposed into English and Welsh law, it will require consideration of all aspects of the water cycle with an emphasis on ecological water quality. In implementing the Water Framework Directive, it will be important to ensure effective integration between the Directive requirements and Water Level Management Plans (WLMPs). WLMPs are designed to be reviewed at regular intervals and should incorporate any guidance which arises as a result of the implementation of the Water Framework Directive.
	The operating authorities (Environment Agency, Internal Drainage Boards or Local Authorities) are the competent authorities in respect of ensuring that WLMPs comply with the Habitats and Birds Directives. They have a duty to ensure that their activities, including those relevant to water level management, comply with the Directives, as implemented in the UK by the Habitats Regulations. Under these Regulations they are required to assess whether any schemes which are not necessary for site management for nature conservation are likely to have a significant effect on the site. If so, an Appropriate Assessment must be undertaken before any works can be carried out. We are not aware of any Appropriate Assessments completed to date in relation WLMPs. English Nature and the operating authorities are working with DEFRA on guidelines to provide advice to operating authorities in undertaking such an Appropriate Assessment.
	Operating Authorities draw up WLMPs in consultation with English Nature, who propose conservation objectives for each plan. All WLMPs must be agreed with English Nature before implementation.
	In 1999, MAFF issued guidance to flood and coastal defence operating authorities on conservation benefits and WLMPs. This guidance was agreed with English Nature and the RSPB, as well as the operating authorities.

Water Level Management

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her policy is on whether internationally designated sites have (a) water level management plans for individual hydrological units and (b) a single water level management plan for numerous hydrological units.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 11 July 2002
	The decision as to whether a Water Level Management Plan (WLMP) is based on individual hydrological units or numerous units will depend on technical, environmental and economic factors which vary significantly between sites. As a result, all Water Level Management Plans are designed and implemented on a case-by-case basis and there is no policy on a preferred approach. In many cases, particularly for relatively small, discrete sites, operating authorities have prepared a single plan to cover all the hydrological units within an international site. However, for larger sites with separate hydrological units that have different operating authorities (e.g. the Somerset Levels), separate WLMPs have been prepared, for example, for each constituent Site of Special Scientific Interest.
	DEFRA is currently working with English Nature and the operating authorities to prepare guidance on the effects of the Habitats Regulations on Water Level Management Plans. Amongst other things, this will advise operating authorities on the geographical scale at which the implications for the Habitats Regulations should be considered.

Water Level Management

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much (a) the Environment Agency, (b) the Internal Drainage Boards and (c) local authorities have spent on consultants to prepare water level management plans in each of the last five years.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 11 July 2002
	I regret that DEFRA does not hold this information as preparation of Water Level Management Plans is the responsibility of the operating authorities. The information cannot therefore be obtained in the form requested except at disproportionate cost.

Water Level Management

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much her Department has spent on the preparation and production of water level management plans in each of the last five years.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 11 July 2002
	The flood and coastal defence operating authorities (Environment Agency, Internal Drainage Boards and Local Authorities) have funded the preparation of Water Level Management Plans (WLMPs) from their own budgets. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs does not fund preparation and production of WLMPs. We do, however, provide grant aid for flood management works required to implement WLMPs.

Departmental Spending Plans

Meg Munn: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the spending plans for her Department and for the Forestry Commission are for the next three years following the 2002 Spending Review; and if she will make a statement.

Margaret Beckett: The results of the Spending Review for DEFRA and the Forestry Commission are summarised in Chapter 16 of the White Paper on "2002 Spending Review" (Cm 5570). The key figures are as follows:
	
		
			 £ million 2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 2005–06 
		
		
			 Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
			 Resource Budget 2,443 2,765 2,742 2,792 
			 Capital Budget 241 316 344 354 
			 Total Departmental Expenditure Limit(3) 2,523 2,902 2,890 2,944 
			 Department of Environment Food and Rural Affairs(3) 2,426 2,808 2,796 2,850 
			 Forestry Commission(3) 97 94 94 94 
			 Near-cash spending in DEFRA DEL(4) 2,341 2,727 2,710 2,757 
		
	
	(3)Full resource budgeting basis, net of depreciation.
	(4)Consistent with previous control basis.
	When DEFRA was created, the objective was have a step change in the way environment, agriculture and rural issues were treated in Government. The aim was to create a department with sustainable development at its heart—and with responsibility for supporting sustainable development across Government. For DEFRA this means working to achieve a better environment at home and internationally. It also means a food and farming industry working within a prosperous countryside, producing the food that consumers want in harmony with the environment.
	For the Government as a whole, sustainable development goes much further. The vital importance of sustainable development for Government as a whole underlay the decision to make it a central theme of the Spending Review. As custodian of the Government's sustainable development strategy, I particularly welcome the elements of the Settlement, for my own Department and for others, which will deliver significant improvements in key policy areas. These include: Climate change—where we will invest in innovation to meet our Climate Change objectives, building on existing funding for renewable energy sources with an additional £38 million in 2005–06 compared with 2002–03, and make further progress towards our greenhouse gas emissions targets Health—where we have announced the biggest ever sustained spending growth in the history of the NHS, to improve health outcomes and the quality of care for patients; Education—where increased spending and further reforms are aimed at getting and helping 16–19 year olds into further education; And Crime—where extra funding for the police will help them target reductions in vehicle crime, domestic burglaries and robbery, and reduce the gap between the highest crime local areas and the best comparable areas In addition, new spending on transport and regeneration will improve the quality of our local environments. For example, capital expenditure on capital transport plans—which includes expenditure on home zones, cycling, walking and local safety schemes—is doubling in real terms from 2001–2011 as part of the Ten Year Transport plan. The Neighbourhood Renewal fund is being increased from £400 million in 2003–04 to £525 million in 2005–06, in part reflecting an increased commitment to safer and cleaner communities. Let me now explain how the Spending Review settlement will impact on DEFRA's programmes over the next three years and will assist the Department in pursuing its aims and objectives. Departmental Spending Plans Sustainable Farming and Food When DEFRA was created, the farming industry was in crisis. Foot and mouth disease, coupled with the lowest farm incomes in many years—had destroyed farmers' confidence, and in some cases, their livelihoods. The Review provides DEFRA with the resources to make progress—working together with the industry—towards a more sustainable future for the farming and food industries. Investment totalling over £500 million over three years will be available to support the key recommendations of the Policy Commission chaired by Sir Don Curry, and to improve animal health and welfare: Action through the England Rural Development Programme, including: A new broad and shallow agri-environment scheme which will reward farmers for delivering environmentally friendly outcomes to be piloted over the next 2 years and then rolled out in full in 2005–06; An expansion of schemes such as the Rural Enterprise Scheme, the Processing and Marketing Grants Scheme, and the Vocational Training Scheme, to assist people in rural areas retrain, diversify and extend their businesses; A more efficient food chain; Enhanced farm advice; Further measures to improve animal health and welfare, including livestock identification and tracing systems, enhanced testing for TSE-type disease (such as BSE); and further action to prevent illegal meat imports. The additional funding will rise to £200 million in 2005–06 of which £75 million has been specifically allocated to fund, alongside equivalent EU funding, the full roll-out of the new agri-environment scheme in England. Additional funding will also be made available to the Devolved Administrations to allow them to increase expenditure on their Rural Development Programmes. In return for the investment in their industry, farmers will be expected to play their part in making the industry sustainable, for example by acting to reduce the risks of animal diseases. I know they will co-operate with us fully in achieving these joint goals. The Government will continue to press for radical reform of the Common Agriculture Policy (CAP) in the negotiations on the Mid-Term Review of Agenda 2000 which began earlier this week. But the resources allocated in the Spending Review allow DEFRA to press ahead with reform and modernisation of the farming industry now. The Department will publish its strategy for sustainable farming and food in the autumn. I am very pleased that Sir Don Curry has agreed to chair a Group which will act as a driver and overseer of change in the farming and food sectors through the implementation of the farming and food strategy, to ensure that we move rapidly towards a more sustainable, competitive and diverse farming and food industry which contributes to a thriving rural economy. The Group will report to me. The Settlement recognises the need to prevent, control and manage the risk of animal disease, where we are driven by the memory of last year's outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease as well as the legacy of BSE. The additional resources provided will allow funding of a wide range of work on animal health issues These measures will be set in the context of a comprehensive animal health and welfare strategy, as recommended by the Policy Commission. This will address ways in which the industry should bear its share of the costs of animal health controls and services. I am also please to be able to announce that we have secured additional funds to deal with Bovine TB this year. These will be used to pay for the extra staff and resources already committed to work on the TB testing backlog and control measures, and additional casual staff who will be recruited to supplement this work. Testing is being carried out on the basis of a veterinary risk assessment, with those posing the greatest risk being tested first. A countryside for all to enjoy In addition to the new agri-environment scheme, which will play an important role in making the countryside more attractive and in helping to preserve biodiversity, the Spending Review has allocated an additional £5 million in 2004–05 and £10 million in 2005–06 for work in bringing our major wildlife sites into favourable condition. In addition, the extra funding of £5 million in 2003–04 and £10 million in the two following years to implement the Countryside and Rights of Way (CROW) Act will increase public access and enjoyment of our beautiful countryside landscapes. Thriving rural economies and communities The investment in sustainable food and farming, in improving the condition of Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) and in opening up access to the countryside will benefit the wider rural economy. However, DEFRA's leadership role on rural affairs goes beyond this and our new rural PSA target reflects this. It commits us to reducing the gap in productivity between the least well performing rural areas and the English average and making services more accessible for rural people. DEFRA will work with other Government Departments and agencies to deliver this and to ensure that the rural-proofing of their policies and programmes helps to deliver real improvements in prosperity and access to public services. The Spending Review White Paper sets out a range of commitments from other Departments to deliver key services in rural areas, and ensure that rural people benefit from the extra resources delivered through the review. The extra £25 million allocated in the Settlement over three years, will further increase the additional funds announced in the Rural White Paper to help regenerate in market towns and improve the ability of rural communities and the rural voluntary sector to deliver services in support of the socially excluded and progress towards solutions to key rural concerns in each region. Protecting our communities from flooding Government investment in flood defence has increased significantly in real terms since 1997. Additional funding of £15 million a year was made available in the wake of the autumn 2000 floods. The new funds over and above this which have been allocated in the Spending Review will ensure that this growth will now accelerate to reach 8.6 per cent a year in real terms over the SR2002 period. The further allocation to the Department of £15 million in 2004–05 and £40 million in 2005–06, together with the amounts available for grants to local authorities and the revenues we expect to be able to raise from new funding mechanisms, will deliver an increase of £150 million in the third year of the Review. This level of resources, together with simplification of the administration of flood defences and effective partnership working with homeowners, local government, the Environment Agency, scientists and the insurance industry will allow us to reduce the risk of threats to life and damage to property from flooding. Sustainable use of resources: the challenge from waste The Spending Review Settlement takes into account the pressures on local government and provides for spending on environmental, protective and cultural services, including waste management, to rise by £671 million by 2005–06. The funds will also enable them to deal with the short-term problems of fridge disposal and changes to the legislation on hazardous waste. Final decisions on additional resources for addressing the challenge of growth in municipal waste and moving away from landfill disposal and on other policy measures will be made available when the Performance and Innovation Unit (PIU) publishes its report into sustainable waste management in the autumn. These decisions and those on landfill tax and the future of the Landfill Tax Credit Scheme (LTCS) will deliver a step change in performance. DEFRA's PSA target of 25 per cent recycling and composting of household waste by 2005–6 demonstrates the government's commitment to radical reform of municipal waste management. Science Evidence-based policy work is central to DEFRA's approach. I want, at the very least, to maintain the Department's expenditure on research in real terms over the Spending Review period. This is consistent with our commitment to the development of a strong and high quality science base. It will ensure that DEFRA's policy making continues to be based in the latest evidence and scientific and economic analysis. We will aim to increase science spending in our identified priority areas. These include: environmental horizon-scanning, climate change and extreme weather, a supercomputer to strengthen the UK climate change research capability, non-food crops, organic food production, and animal disease. We will also examine the findings of the Foot and Mouth Disease inquiries closely and determine if any additional funding for research is required in these areas. Investment in the Department A theme of the Spending Review across all Departments has been ensuring that they have the necessary capacity to deliver. That has been a primary focus of the Developing DEFRA change programme that was set up after the Department was created last year. Additional funding of £140 million over the Spending Review period for investment in the Department will enable it to take forward the next phase of the change programme flowing from the recent Joint Strategic Review carried out with the Office for Public Service Reform (OPSR). The investment will give staff the tools they need to change their ways of working, focus on customers and deliver the high quality services that will build DEFRA's reputation as a respected, high performing, and efficient Department. Forestry Commission The Forestry Commission is funded on a net basis after taking account of the income it received, mainly from sales of timber from the public forests. Its timber income has fallen significantly in recent years due to a worldwide slump in timber prices. The Spending Review Settlement provides additional funding of £5 million a year on top of the 2003–04 baseline to enable the Commission to continue to drive forward the Government's England Forestry Strategy despite the reduction in timber income. This new money underlines forestry's important place in England's rural affairs and will allow the Commission to extend sustainable forests management, restore more native woodlands, increase community forests and the role of forests in tackling industrial dereliction. In addition to the funding shown in the White Paper, the Commission is also benefiting from special funding from the Capital Modernisation Fund and the Invest to Save Budget amounting to almost £11 million in the next 2 years. Conclusion Spending by the Department in 2005–06 will be more than £400 million higher than in 2002–03, supporting a programme of reform. It fulfils the Government's pledge to introduce a significant programme of measures to move the food and farming industries to a long-term sustainable basis, to create thriving and prosperous rural economies and communities and to improve the environment. And it takes full account of the Department's lead role in promoting sustainable development across Government for the good of our citizens, both now and in the future.

Correspondence

Peter Atkinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she will respond to the letter of the hon. Member for Hexham of 2 April on the stay warm scheme.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 2 July 2002
	The Department for Trade and Industry have responsibility for the Warm Stay Scheme. The hon. Member's letter has therefore been transferred to that Department.

Devolution

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the EU Advisory Committee on the protection of animals used for experimental and other scientific purposes is next due to meet; whether representatives of the Scottish Executive (a) have been and (b) are members of it; and if she will make a statement.

Bob Ainsworth: I have been asked to reply.
	Article 22 (3) of European Directive 86/609/EEC (on the approximation of laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the Member States regarding the protection of animals used for experimental and other scientific purposes) provides for the Commission to establish "a permanent consultative committee within which the Member States would be represented, which will assist the Commission in organising the exchange of appropriate information, while respecting the requirements of confidentiality, and which will also assist the Commission in the other questions raised by the application of this Directive". The Commission made a decision on 9 February 1990 (90/67/EEC) for setting up the Advisory Committee on the Protection of Animals for Experimental and Other Scientific Purposes under Article 22 of the Directive, including provision for representation and working methods. However, the Committee has never been established. The Commission has recently made a recommendation for the Directive to be revised. In its initial comments on what amendments might be considered, the United Kingdom has suggested that the Commission should consider either dispensing with or establishing the Advisory Committee.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

Devolution

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the EU Committee for the Adaptation to Technical Progress and for the Implementation of the Directive on Contained Use of Genetically Modified Micro-organisms is next due to meet; whether representatives of the Scottish Executive (a) have been and (b) are members of it; and if she will make a statement.

David Jamieson: I have been asked to reply.
	No date has yet been fixed for the next meeting of this Committee. Officials from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) represent the UK on the Committee. The Scottish Ministers and HSE comprise the Competent Authority for implementation of the Directive on the contained use of genetically modified micro-organisms in Scotland. HSE officials consult the Scottish Executive on agenda items in which it might have an interest in accordance with our Concordat with the Devolved Administrations.

Job Creation

Nigel Waterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what extra financing has been secured for regional development agencies to create positive job creation in the manufacturing sector.

Alan Johnson: RDA funding will increase from £1.24 billion in 2000–01 to £1.80 billion in 2003–04. Alongside this, the Government has given the RDAs financial flexibility to pursue their regional priorities. From 1 April this year, the RDAs are getting their funding from Government as a single funding stream which they can use as they judge best in order to meet a set of agreed targets. Under this general framework there is also a modest component of extra funding specifically designated for manufacturing to match fund RDAs' Regional Centres for Manufacturing Excellence (delivering the Manufacturing Advisory Service) but their role is not specifically one of job creation. However, one of the underpinning objectives of the single pot is to increase competitiveness and therefore employment, including in the manufacturing sector. The RDAs are working closely with Government to put in place strategies at the national and regional levels which will encourage the development of a strong and forward-looking manufacturing sector.

Construction Products

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the EU Standing Committee on the approximation of the laws relating to construction products is next due to meet; whether representatives of the Scottish Executive (a) have been and (b) are members of it; and if she will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: I have been asked to reply.
	The Standing Committee is due to meet on 10 and 11 September 2002. The United Kingdom delegation consists of officials of the Office of The Deputy Prime Minister and a representative from the construction industry. International negotiation is a reserved matter, and the Scottish Executive is not, and has not been, represented on the Standing Committee. However, officials consult regularly with their opposite numbers in the devolved administrations on relevant issues prior to such negotiation.

CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

Cultural Co-operation

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when the EU Committee for the implementation of the programme establishing a single financing and programming instrument for cultural co-operation (Culture 2000) is next due to meet; whether representatives of the Scottish Executive (a) have been and (b) are members of it; and if she will make a statement.

Kim Howells: The Culture 2000 Management Committee last met in Brussels on 31 May 2002. There is no fixed date for the next meeting of the Committee, although this is likely to be in the autumn. No members of the Scottish Executive have been or are members of the Committee.

Devolution

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when the EU Committee on the export of cultural goods is next due to meet; whether representatives of the Scottish Executive (a) have been and (b) are members of it; and if she will make a statement.

Kim Howells: The exact date of the next meeting of the Advisory Committee on Cultural Goods is unknown. However, there are normally two meetings each year; and since the last meeting took place on 4 July, it is anticipated that the next meeting will be at the beginning of 2003. Representatives of the Scottish Executive have not attended meetings of the committee. The Scottish Executive is not a member since the committee is responsible for advising the European Commission about a non-devolved matter. A representative of the Scottish Executive is, however, welcome to attend as an observer.

TREASURY

Light Dues

Nick Harvey: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what the total income from light dues has been in each of the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what the total income from light dues, broken down by port, has been in each of the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: I have been asked to reply
	The total income from light dues in each of the last 10 years is listed on the attached sheet.
	We do not hold information on income, broken down by port but have provided information on income broken down by region, in the last 5 years. The information is not held beyond that period. The income listed to Trinity House is light dues payments made directly to Trinity House Lighthouse Service.
	
		Light Dues Income - Past 10 Years
		
			 Year Income(m) 
		
		
			 2001–2002 75.204 (Subject to Annual Audit) 
			 2000–2001 71.445 
			 1999–2000 69.261 
			 1998–1999 67.452 
			 1997–1998 62.141 
			 1996–1997 65.550 
			 1995–1996 64.344 
			 1994–1995 64.785 
			 1993–1994 64.307 
			 1992–1993 59.859 
		
	
	Source:
	The above figures are taken from the GLF Consolidated Accounts and are for Total Income. (Excluding Irish Government Contribution)
	
		Light Dues Income—By Region
		
			   2001–2002 2000–2001 1999–2000 1998–1999 1997–1998 
		
		
			 Region North East 5,583,008.09 4,971,195.86 5,471,943.10 5,209,028.28 5,228,123.75 
			 Region Humber 5,877,628.05 6,066,300.48 5,585,431.42 5,693,124.44 5,696,374.21 
			 Region Anglia 21,280,321.03 19,534,780.26 19,238,794.01 19,769,960.81 16,835,640.12 
			 Region South East 18,862,406.94 16,659,886.03 14,878,951.56 13,908,980.07 13,092,694.40 
			 Region South West 6,661,857.53 6,620,724.19 6,406,661.67 6,141,404.97 6,534,428.11 
			 Region North West 3,604,506.58 3,485,748.43 3,422,853.70 3,869,373.05 3,617,378.13 
			 Region Ulster 662,195.49 599,414.51 662,503.18 617,011.16 706,507.01 
			 Region Scotland 8,536,210.39 9,110,457.12 8,929,663.47 8,034,124.92 6,628,360.51 
			  Isle of Man 19,400.57 19,012.13 20,635.93 44,424.38 37,729.06 
			  Trinity House 620,054.57 584,976.03 751,370.04 350,439.58 536,236.96 
			 Region Ireland (C & E) 3,077,673.30 3,416,674.55 3,464,779.82 3,131,480.85 2,816,419.48 
			  Total 74,785,262.54 71,069,169.59 68,833,587.90 66,769,352.51 61,729,891.74 
		
	
	Source:
	The figures by Region are for General Light Dues only and does not include income from UK Fishing Vessels and Tugs.
	The figures do not include any Light Dues refunds that were made.
	The figures for Ireland are shown in £ sterling after conversion.

Light Dues

Nick Harvey: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the impact of an abolition of light dues on (a) shipping, (b) port business and (c) tourism; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: I have been asked to reply.
	We do not intend to abolish light dues but are considering how the present system could be improved. We have issued a consultation document entitled "Light Dues Review: Meeting the Costs of Marine Aids to Navigation" seeking the views of the maritime industry on the structure of UK light dues. The consultation will consider whether charging can be extended to other users or redistributed among existing payers. We have asked consultees to identify the impact of light dues charges on their business operations.
	The consultation period ends on 31 July. In the light of responses received, we shall consider where improvements can be made to the present system and determine the strength of support for change within the industry.

Light Dues

Nick Harvey: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the average payment made to Treasury was per ship entering British ports, in light dues for each of the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: I have been asked to reply.
	The information is not held in the form requested.

Light Dues

Nick Harvey: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to change the level of light dues; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: I have been asked to reply.
	We have no plans at present to change the current level of light dues. The rates are reviewed annually and set at a level to meet the expenditure requirements of the General Lighthouse Authorities.
	The consultation exercise on the Light Dues Review will determine whether improvements are made to the present system and if this will require changes to the regulations and current rates.

Equitable Life

Christopher Chope: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he expects the Penrose Inquiry into Equitable Life to be published in 2002; and if he will make a statement.

Ruth Kelly: Arrangements for publication will be considered once the report of the Penrose Inquiry has been received. No firm date has been specified for the completion of the Inquiry, though Lord Penrose is keen to ensure that the Inquiry proceeds as quickly as possible consistent with producing a thorough and authoritative account.

UK Citizens

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of UK citizens were born abroad; and what the corresponding figure was in each of the past 30 years.

Ruth Kelly: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.
	Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Barry Sheerman, dated 19 July 2002
	As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your question concerning what percentage of UK citizens were from abroad; and what the corresponding figure was in each of the past 30 years. (71132)
	The information you have requested is not available. Information on the citizenship of residents in the UK is derived from the Labour Force Survey. This identifies the number of British citizens resident in the UK, however, it is not possible to separately identify how many of these UK citizens arrived in the UK from abroad.

Devolution

Angus Robertson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the EU Contact Committee on certain schemes for collective investment in securities is next due to meet; whether representatives of the Scottish Executive (a) have been and (b) are members of it; and if he will make a statement.

Ruth Kelly: The EU Contact Committee on certain schemes for collective investment in transferable securities is next due to meet in autumn 2002. A precise date has not yet been fixed.
	The UK is represented on the Committee by officials from HM Treasury and the Financial Services Authority. Financial regulation is not a devolved matter. Representatives of the Scottish Executive do not attend the Committee.

Employment Statistics

Colin Challen: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people were (a) in employment and (b) in unemployment expressed as a percentage of the total population in (i) Leeds, (ii) Yorkshire and the Humber and (iii) London in each of the past 10 years.

Ruth Kelly: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.
	Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Colin Challen, dated 19 July 2002
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent question about employment and unemployment in Leeds, Yorkshire and the Humber, and London. (69939)
	The table overleaf gives estimates of the employment and unemployment rates in spring (March to May) of each year from 1992 to 2001. These estimates are from the Labour Force Survey.
	
		Employment rates(5) by area of residence; all persons of working age(6); 1993 to 2002
		
			  Per cent 
			  United Kingdom(7) Leeds(8) Yorkshire & the Humber(7) London(7) 
		
		
			 1993 70.4 73.2 71.0 67.6 
			 1994 70.8 73.0 70.2 66.3 
			 1995 71.3 72.2 71.7 67.5 
			 1996 71.9 75.4 71.8 68.2 
			 1997 72.9 74.3 70.9 70.5 
			 1998 73.4 75.9 72.4 69.9 
			 1999 73.9 74.7 72.9 71.7 
			 2000 74.6 77.3 73.9 71.5 
			 2001 74.9 80.2 73.8 71.3 
			 2002 74.7 76.9 73.4 71.0 
		
	
	Source:
	ONS Labour Force Survey
	(5)People in employment as a percentage of the relevant population
	(6)Men aged 16–64 and women aged 16–59
	(7)Seasonally adjusted data for March to May
	(8)Not seasonally adjusted data; 4 quarter average ending May

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

Offshore Fire-fighters

David Stewart: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what research his Department has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on the level of risk to which staff fire-fighting on offshore facilities are exposed.

David Jamieson: holding answer 8 July 2002
	I have been asked to reply.
	The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) has not commissioned any research into these matters However, duty holders of offshore installations are required to demonstrate to HSE they have evaluated the risks to which their personnel could be exposed during fire-fighting activities and that those risks are effectively controlled.

Empty Homes

Don Foster: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister which Government Departments and agencies have (a) adopted and (b) not adopted the revised guidance on securing the better use of empty homes published by the DETR in 1999; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: This information is not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

Unfit Dwellings

Don Foster: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many (a) houses, (b) houses in multiple occupation and (c) other dwellings were declared unfit for human habitation, broken down by (i) failure of gas appliance, (ii) failure of kitchen amenities, (iii) failure of bathroom and drainage facilities, (iv) structural failure and (v) other failures, in each of the last five years.

Tony McNulty: The most recent information available is for private sector dwellings and houses in multiple occupation in 1997–98. This is shown in the table below. Private sector dwellings and houses in multiple occupation declared unfit: in 1997–98
	
		
			 Total of which those declared unfit under Section 604 of the Housing Act 1985 (1) 
			  Serious disrepair Structural stability Damp- ness Venti- lation Heating Lighting Water supply Prep./ Cooking Food Bath/Shower  Hand basin  H&C/WC Drainage 
		
		
			 48.0 22.2 3.8 11.2 3.0 3.5 2.3 2.1 5.4 3.7 1.8 
		
	
	
		Houses in multiple occupation declared unfit under sections 352 and 604 of the Housing Act 1985 in 1997–98
		
			 Total Thousands  
			 Declared unfit under  Reasons for unfitness under section 352(2) 
			 Section 604 Section 352 Total Storage/Prep. Cooking Food 
			 WC Baths/Basins showers HC Escape nfrom fire/fire precautions 
		
		
			 2.0 8.0 8.9 1.0 0.4 1.0 6.1 
		
	
	(1) The number of reasons is greater than the numbers of dwellings identified because a dwelling or HMO can be unfit for more than one reason
	(2) A HMO can be unfit under both sections 352 and 604, therefore the total is less than the sum of the components

Housing Improvement Grants

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what funding he is providing to local councils for housing improvement grants in (a) England and (b) Gloucestershire; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: The Government no longer allocates specific funding to local authorities for housing improvement grants. Each housing authority must decide how much it will allocate towards this purpose from the total capital funding provided to it by the Government each year.
	Total capital resources made available for housing purposes for all authorities in England for 2002–03 is £2.5 billion. For Gloucestershire the figure for 2002–03 is £16.6 million, an increase of 85 per cent on 1997–98.

Planning Decisions

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what recent steps have been taken to speed up planning decisions.

Tony McNulty: The comprehensive package of planning reforms announced by my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister on 18 July 2002, Official Report, columns 438–442W includes measures to speed up planning decisions. These include extra resources for central and local government, tough targets for delivery of plans and development control decisions, and proposals to improve the efficiency of the planning system and raise the quality of outputs.

Urban Renewal

Don Foster: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much private investment there has been in urban renewal in each of the last five years.

Tony McNulty: Information on all the private investment that contributes to urban renewal is not collected by Government.

Traveller Encampments

Tim Loughton: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether he plans to revise regulations regarding traveller encampments.

Tony McNulty: On 5 July, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister in conjunction with the Home Office, issued a joint news release outlining the Government's new approach to tackling unauthorised Traveller camps.
	The new procedures include stricter powers for the police to move on unauthorised Traveller encampments, provided the local authority have made adequate provision for sites in the area; producing new guidance on managing unauthorised camping and improved local Gypsy site provision.
	A copy of the news release has been placed in the Library of the House.

Correspondence

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will obtain a reply for the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton to the letter with regard to Mr. Pat McGuinness that he sent on 13 March to the then Secretary of State for Transport, Local government and the Regions and to which that Department sent a holding reply dated 25 April saying that the letter had been transferred to the Planning Inspectorate.

Tony McNulty: I refer my right hon. Friend to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the former Secretary of State for the Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions on 2 May, Official Report, column 902W.

Departmental Property

Don Foster: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will place in the Library his Department's departmental-owned residential property record.

Christopher Leslie: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister does not directly own residential property.

London City Racecourse

Linda Perham: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when he will make a decision on the planning application for the London city racecourse.

Tony McNulty: My right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister expects that a decision on the London City Racecourse will be issued by the end of July.

E-mail Press Release Service

Don Foster: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when his Department intends to establish an e-mail press release service similar to that previously provided by the former Department of Transport, Local government and the Regions.

Christopher Leslie: We expect that the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister will establish a similar service by Autumn 2002.

Delayed Discharge

Clive Efford: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement about the Government's strategy to tackle delayed discharge in London; and what resources will be needed to meet the level of demand.

Jacqui Smith: I have been asked to reply.
	In September 2001 there were 1126 people who experienced a delayed transfer of care from an acute hospital bed in London. By March 2002, the target reduction to 901 beds had been met. London Boroughs received their share of the £300 million made available through the Building Care Capacity Grant to end unnecessary delayed discharges from hospital. Their total allocation was £42,560,387 over the two years 2001–02 and 2002–03.
	London Boroughs have agreed challenging targets for further reductions, averaging between 20 per cent and 25 per cent by March 2003. The targets were set as part of the conditions for receiving the grant. For Personal Social Services, we have already announced annual average growth in real terms of 6 per cent from 2003–04 to 2005–06.

CABINET OFFICE

Recycling

Sue Doughty: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what proportion of (a) paper and (b) other goods purchased by his Department was recycled paper in each year since 1997; what the annual total cost of these purchases was; what plans there are to increase these proportions; and if he will make a statement.

Douglas Alexander: The Cabinet Office purchases all its standard photocopier/printer paper from "sustainably managed" sources. A small amount of high quality premium paper, which does not come from the same sources, is purchased and used for specific jobs. We are seeking a more "environmentally friendly" alternative to this product.
	We have successfully tested re-cycled paper for use in our office machinery and are now working in partnership with a number of other departments to establish a contract for the purchase of recycled paper.
	Information on other goods derived from recycled paper purchased by the Cabinet Office could only be produced at disproportionate cost.

Strategy Unit

Kevin Brennan: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what additional projects are planned for the Strategy Unit; and if he will make a statement.

Douglas Alexander: The Prime Minister has asked the Strategy Unit to carry out a project looking at how to tackle the problems associated with alcohol misuse.
	The large majority of people who drink do so without causing themselves or others harm. The focus of the project will be the harm that can be caused by excessive drinking. It will pay particular attention to issues such as alcohol-related crime and anti-social behaviour, problems faced by vulnerable groups such as children and what works best in tackling the problems of alcohol misuse.
	My hon. Friend the Under Secretary of State for Public Health, will be Sponsor Minister for the project.
	The scoping note for the project is available on the SU website (www.strategy.gov.uk). There will be a wide-ranging consultation on the issues, commencing from this announcement, during which all interested parties are encouraged to contribute their views. The Strategy Unit aims to complete its study by Spring 2003.

Monthly Audits

Brian Cotter: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many monthly audits of regulation have taken place since 1997 relating to (a) the number of new regulations introduced and (b) the number of regulations repealed.

Douglas Alexander: Regulatory Impact Assessments are produced for regulations that have an impact on business, charities and the voluntary sector. These can be found in the House libraries. They are also reported monthly to the Cabinet Office. Since 1997 (inclusive), 27 Deregulation Orders have been made under the Deregulation and Contracting Out Act; a chronological list is available on the Cabinet Office's website. In February 2002 the government published the Regulatory Reform Action Plan, setting 63 proposals for Regulatory Reform Orders (RROs). RROs enable government to repeal more easily unnecessary regulation.

EDUCATION AND SKILLS

Student Loan Company

Jonathan R Shaw: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the cost was to the Student Loan Company to issue cheques to each student in higher education every term in each of the last five years.

Margaret Hodge: Only the first loan instalment is paid by cheque each Academic Year. Subsequent instalments are paid by BACS. I have asked the Chief Executive of the Student Loans Company to write to my hon. Friend with further information, and to place a copy of the letter in the House library.

Further Education

Martin Caton: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment she has made of the impact of the pay gap between schools and the further education sector on recruiting (a) music, (b) maths, (c) IT and (d) construction and engineering lecturers to further education colleges.

Margaret Hodge: We have not carried out an assessment of this type. As independent organisations it is for each college to recruit their own staff and to agree pay within the context of the overall resources available to them. We know that there are differences between salaries in general further education colleges and schools and this issue is being considered as part of the current Spending Review settlement.
	An additional £314 million is available for FE this year compared with 2001–02; by 2003–04 total funding for FE will be up by 26 per cent in real terms since 1997 and total funding per full-time equivalent student will be up by 16 per cent over the same period. In 2002–03, the Learning and Skills Council has increased colleges' participation funding rates by 2.5 per cent in cash terms, compared to a 1.5 per cent increase in 2001–02.
	As part of the overall funding allocation, we are investing more than £300 million in the Teaching Pay Initiative (TPI). TPI is an important initiative designed to help modernise further education (FE) pay arrangements and to recruit, reward and retain teachers and lecturers as part of the drive to improve teaching and learning. Alongside TPI, we are introducing Training Bursaries, Golden Hellos and, subject to the approval of Parliament, a scheme to pay-off over time the student loans of new teachers in FE shortage subject areas. All of these initiatives offer significant financial rewards both to students training to be FE lecturers as well as those taking up teaching posts in FE shortage subject areas.

Marketing (Universities)

Brian White: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what information she collates on expenditure by individual universities on marketing.

Margaret Hodge: This information is not collated centrally. The Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) collects data annually which show the expenditure of each higher education institution broken down by various categories, but expenditure on marketing is not identified separately.

City Academies

Kate Hoey: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what flexibility there is for city academies to choose (a) their catchment area for admissions and (b) the feeder schools they will work with.

David Miliband: It is a condition of the Funding Agreement between the Academy and the Secretary of State that each Academy's admissions arrangements are consistent with the law on admissions and the Statutory Codes of Practice as they apply to maintained schools. Within these requirements Academies have the right to determine their own admissions policies and admission arrangements, including oversubscription criteria. Acceptable criteria can include catchment areas and transfer from named feeder primary schools, in addition to others such as sibling links and distance from school. Academies will not operate in isolation but are required, as part of the Funding Agreement, to share their facilities with other schools and the wider community.

Specialist Schools

David Chaytor: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will list the specialist schools for which progress reports were submitted in September (a) 2000 and (b) 2001, broken down by (i) local education authority, (ii) specialism, (iii) status of the school, (iv) the total number of applications for places, (v) the number and percentage of pupils selected by aptitude, (vi) the number and percentage of pupils with statements and (vii) the number and percentage of pupils receiving free school meals.

David Miliband: holding answer 17 July 2002
	The information requested has been placed in the Libraries.

School Statistics

David Chaytor: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many pupils in secondary education in England there were and; how many and what percentage of pupils were in fee paying (a) secondary and (b) primary schools, broken down by sex, in each of the last three years.

David Miliband: holding answer 15 July 2002
	The available information is shown in the table below:
	
		Pupils in Independent Schools: Numbers and as a Proportion of Total Pupil Numbers -- England
		
			  Independent Schools  
			 All Schools (1)  
			Percentage of pupils in independent schools (2)  
			  Total boys Total girls Total all pupils Total boys Total girls Total all pupils Total boys Total girls Total all pupils 
		
		
			 January 2000 
			 Pupils aged: Under 5 33,861 34,030 67,891 501,506 478,851 980,357 6.8 7.1 6.9 
			 5 to 10 104,072 99,044 203,116 1,980,145 1,886,362 3,866,507 5.3 5.3 5.3 
			 Total Under 11 137,933 133,074 271,007 2,481,651 2,365,213 4,846,864 5.6 5.6 5.6 
			 11 to 15 110,253 103,014 213,267 1,583,332 1,513,934 3,097,266 7.0 6.8 6.9 
			 16+ (3) 40,568 35,718 76,286 196,339 205,346 401,685 20.7 17.4 19.0 
			 Total Over 11 150,821 138,732 289,553 1,779,671 1,719,280 3,498,951 8.5 8.1 8.3 
			 Total 288,754 271,806 560,560 4,261,322 4,084,493 8,345,815 6.8 6.7 6.7 
			 January 2001 
			 Pupils aged: Under 5 34,848 34,918 69,766 498,930 475,563 974,493 7.0 7.3 7.2 
			 5 to 10 105,215 100,379 205,594 1,968,070 1,873,140 3,841,210 5.3 5.4 5.4 
			 Total Under 11 140,063 135,297 275,360 2,467,000 2,348,703 4,815,703 5.7 5.8 5.7 
			 11 to 15 112,274 105,348 217,622 1,611,433 1,540,200 3,151,633 7.0 6.8 6.9 
			 16+ (3) 40,589 35,682 76,271 199,850 206,933 406,783 20.3 17.2 18.7 
			 Total Over11 152,863 141,030 293,893 1,811,283 1,747,133 3,558,416 8.4 8.1 8.3 
			 Total 292,926 276,327 569,253 4,278,283 4,095,836 8,374,119 6.8 6.7 6.8 
			 January 2002 (Provisional) Pupils aged: 
			 Under 5 35,322 35,930 71,252 497,442 476,675 974,117 7.1 7.5 7.3 
			 5 to 10 105,677 101,394 207,071 1,944,804 1,851,210 3,796,014 5.4 5.5 5.5 
			 Total Under11 140,999 137,324 278,323 2,442,246 2,327,885 4,770,131 5.8 5.9 5.8 
			 11 to 15 114,729 108,094 222,823 1,630,271 1,558,345 3,188,616 7.0 6.9 7.0 
			 16+ (3) 40,881 37,711 78,592 201,018 209,860 410,878 20.3 18.0 19.1 
			 Total Over 11 155,610 145,805 301,415 1,831,289 1,768,205 3,599,494 8.5 8.2 8.4 
			 Total 296,609 283,129 579,738 4,273,535 4,096,090 8,369,625 6.9 6.9 6.9 
		
	
	(1) Includes all pupils in maintained nursery, primary and secondary schools, maintained and non-maintained special schools, pupil referral units, city technology colleges, direct grant nurseries and independent schools.
	(2) Expressed as a percentage of the total number of pupils in all schools.
	(3) Excludes pupils in sixth form colleges and further education colleges.
	Source:
	Annual Schools' Census.

Foreign Teachers

Shaun Woodward: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assistance her Department gives to schools seeking to recruit teachers from abroad.

David Miliband: holding answer 17 July 2002
	The Department does not give any special assistance to schools for overseas recruitment. But more broadly, my right hon. Friend has allocated £44 million from the recruitment and retention fund for 2002–03 to schools in areas where the cost of living can make it harder to attract and keep the best teachers, following the £33 million allocated last year. A new Recruitment and Retention Unit in the Government Office for London will also support London LEAs in, amongst other things, overseas recruitment.

School Expulsions

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many children were expelled from school in Somerset over the last two years.

David Miliband: The information requested is shown in the table.
	
		Number of Permanent Exclusions from schools (1) in Somerset Local Education Authority
		
			  1998–99 
			 1999–2000 
			  Number of permanent exclusions Percentage  of the school population (2) Number  of  permanent exclusions Percentage  of the  school population (2) 
		
		
			 Somerset 63 0.09 62 0.09 
		
	
	(1) Maintained primary and secondary schools and maintained and non-maintained special schools
	(2) The number of permanent exclusions expressed as a percentage of the headcount of pupils in maintained primary and secondary schools and special schools.
	Source:
	Annual Schools Census

Further Education

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make a statement on the reasons for the delays in notifying colleges of their funding allocations for 2002–03; and what instructions she has given the Learning and Skills Council to ensure that colleges, have adequate time to fulfil its requirement that corporations must approve a budget before the beginning of its funding year on 1 August.

Margaret Hodge: holding answer 10 July 2002
	It is hard to compare progress on final allocations in 2002–03 with earlier years since the process is now different. In the past, the allocation of funding to colleges did not take into account colleges' previous performance. The old system of funding led to some colleges bidding and receiving funding for unachievable growth targets, retaining funds which their performance did not justify (last year estimated at over £150 millions) which could more usefully have been allocated elsewhere, and ultimately having to pay the money back.
	This year, as part of our drive to improve standards, performance and efficiency, and target funding where it can have the most impact, the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) has used its budgetary discretion so that money is allocated more effectively. It has introduced new arrangements which will stimulate growth, particularly for 16–18 year olds and basic skills, by putting in place a more robust allocations process and challenging those providers who have consistently been unable to achieve their projected performance levels in the past. This process has led to detailed and at times protracted negotiations with some providers. However it has ensured that we no longer have millions of pounds sitting in college bank accounts not working effectively towards our priorities.
	Despite this change which might have been expected to cause delays, by 5 July the LSC had made 313 (48 per cent) final allocations to colleges. This is well ahead of last year when only 16 per cent of institutions had received final allocations by the first week in July. We recognise however that there is still considerable scope for improvement and the LSC is looking at ways of doing better in the future so that final allocations can be made even earlier.

Dyslexia

Jonathan R Shaw: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what training is required for teachers to deal with pupils diagnosed with ADHD and dyslexia.

Stephen Twigg: It is important that all teachers are properly prepared for the range of special educational needs (SEN) they will encounter in schools. That is why, as part of their initial teacher training, all student teachers must show that they understand their responsibilities under the SEN Code of Practice, and know how to seek advice where necessary. These skills are reinforced and developed during their induction period, when teachers have to demonstrate that they can plan effectively to meet the needs of pupils with SEN.
	There are no specific training requirements placed on teachers in relation to dealing with pupils diagnosed with either Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) or specific learning difficulties, such as dyslexia. However, opportunities for in-service training and continuing professional development for teachers in post are supported under the training component of the SEN category of the Department's Standards Fund, through which £91 million of locally supported expenditure is available for SEN in 2002–03. Under the Standards Fund, LEAs and schools can draw on grant aid to address the training and development needs of teachers, and other staff, in relation to particular SEN conditions, including ADHD and dyslexia. The support on offer covers activity ranging from awareness raising events to more specialised in-depth training. It is, however, for individual local education authorities and schools to determine and prioritise the training and development needs of their staff, in the light of local circumstances. We have also introduced in 2002–03 two new £1 million funding streams, under the SEN Small Programme Fund and the SEN Training and Development Fund, to support the creation of new or extended training opportunities and resources for teachers and other staff. Under these initiatives, competitive bids were invited from voluntary organisations and higher education institutions. Included amongst the successful bids were a number of ADHD and dyslexia projects.

Safe Routes to Schools

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make a statement on the Safe Routes to Schools initiative.

Ivan Lewis: We continue to work with the Department for Transport, and other partners on the School Travel Advisory Group, to make the journey to school safer. This Department has also produced guidance for schools, governors and local education authorities to help them put in place initiatives to promote healthier, safer and more sustainable school travel.

Morley and Rothwell

Colin Challen: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many mature students in Morley and Rothwell have applied for a child care grant.

Margaret Hodge: Information on mature students who apply for a childcare grant is not available centrally.

Morley and Rothwell

Colin Challen: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many people in Morley and Rothwell received help from the Community Champions Fund.

Margaret Hodge: The Scarman Trust, who administer the Community Champions fund in the West Yorkshire region, have received five applications from people in the Morley and Rothwell area. Unfortunately, none of these applications were successful, either because they were from large, established community groups, or because they did not meet the criteria for Community Champions funding.
	However, we would welcome further applications from individuals and small groups in Morley and Rothwell who want to increase their skills to participate in the regeneration of their communities. In the first instance, they should contact the Government Office for Yorkshire and The Humber at the address below.
	Natalie Bain
	GOYH
	PO Box 213
	Room 1252
	City House
	New Station Street
	Leeds
	LS1 4US
	Tel: 0113 2835884

Morley and Rothwell

Colin Challen: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many people in Morley and Rothwell have (a) taken up modern apprenticeships, (b) started a foundation degree course and (c) received help from Individual Learning Accounts.

Ivan Lewis: The information requested is as follows:
	(a) started modern apprenticeships.
	
		
			 1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 
		
		
			 190 248 296 300 358 
		
	
	(a) started a foundation degree course.
	Provisional figures for autumn 2001 show that there were 6 students on Foundation degrees.
	(b) received help from individual learning accounts.
	A total of 1,202 people have received help from the Individual Learning Account programme that was in operation from September 2000 to November 2001.

Agricultural Colleges

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what help will be given to agricultural colleges to cope with the change in the rural economy resulting from the foot and mouth epidemic.

Margaret Hodge: Funding and planning of provision by agricultural colleges in the further education sector is the responsibility of the Learning and Skills Council. I have therefore asked John Harwood, the Council's Chief Executive, to write to the hon. Member providing the information requested and to place a copy of his reply in the Library. Agricultural colleges in the higher education sector are responsible for their own management and development, in discussion with the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE).

Training Organisations

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, pursuant to her answer of 26 June 2002 to my hon. Friend the Member for Huddersfield (Mr. Sheerman), Official Report, column 910W, on training organisations, what payments were made to each NTO in each financial year since April 1997; and what the sector coverage was of each NTO in March.

Ivan Lewis: The first NTO recognitions were in 1997. NTO recognition was withdrawn as of 31 March 2002. The totality of payments recorded for each financial year since April 1997 made by the Department in respect of work contracted by each NTO and sector coverage is as attached in Annex 1.
	Unfortunately in our response of the 26 June, one organisation's total was included twice. This explains the difference in the 2001–2002 figures.
	
		Annex 1
		
			 NTO 1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 NTO Total 
		
		
			 Accountancy NTO 0.00 0.00 0.00 74,494.00 85,000.00 159,494.00 
			 Animal Care and Equine NTO 0.00 0.00 10,455.00 0.00 0.00 10,455.00 
			 Association for Ceramic Training and Development 0.00 41,455.00 129,950.00 108,813.00 117,951.00 398,169.00 
			 Bakery Training Council 0.00 25,000.00 70,020.00 195,770.00 137,229.30 428,019.30 
			 Banks and Building Societies NTO 0.00 115,000.00 123,000.00 119,000.00 0.00 357,000.00 
			 Board for Education and Training in the Water Industry 90,590.66 0.00 31,950.00 0.00 0.00 122,540.66 
			 British Plumbing Employers Council 206,420.30 58,451.00 116,853.30 76,000.38 85,000.00 542,724.98 
			 British Ports Industry Training Ltd 0.00 148,483.00 122,783.00 155,000.00 139,300.00 565,566.00 
			 CAPITB (Clothing, Apparel, Leather Prod) 177,427.70 64,300.00 15,732.00 80,000.00 75,000.00 412,459.70 
			 Central Government National Training Organisation 0.00 36,552.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 36,552.00 
			 Chemical Manufacturing and Processing NTO 65,200.00 45,750.00 74,245.00 82,334.00 80,000.00 347,529.00 
			 Cleaning and Support Services NTO 9,105.50 78,050.00 46,435.00 72,464.00 53,691.95 259,746.45 
			 OPITO (Oil & Gas Extraction) 0.00 0.00 48,331.00 76,561.00 43,747.16 168,639.16 
			 Community Justice NTO 0.00 66,777.67 163,620.00 168,263.80 170,000.00 568,661.47 
			 Construction Industry Training Board 198,002.80 370,762.20 1,033,125.00 241,500.00 240,907.00 2,084,297.00 
			 Council for Administration 266,423.90 212,400.00 242,575.00 334,089.00 248,941.00 1,304,428.90 
			 Cultural Heritage NTO 0.00 37,773.00 191,773.00 71,000.00 140,506.60 441,052.60 
			 Custodial Care NTO 0.00 0.00 74,911.03 99,733.98 95,000.00 269,645.01 
			 Dairy Training and Development Council 10,500.00 17,000.00 26,721.75 68,134.50 137,722.40 260,078.65 
			 Distributive NTO 0.00 15,001.00 187,646.00 255,132.80 127,549.50 585,329.30 
			 Electricity Training Association 23,368.60 14,390.00 59,450.00 71,911.24 58,000.00 227,119.84 
			 Employment NTO 0.00 218,038.00 373,528.00 293,922.60 407,968.30 1,293,456.90 
			 EMTA (Engineering) 237,212.90 280,300.00 832,142.60 179,748.60 157,500.00 1,686,904.10 
			 Engineering Construction Industry Training Board 105,957.20 19,213.55 19,447.50 45,859.11 30,505.16 220,982.52 
			 Engineering Services Training Trust Ltd 0.00 22,854.00 166,362.00 85,065.86 90,010.73 364,292.59 
			 EPIC (Extractives and Mineral Processing Industries NTO) 0.00 104,000.00 87,519.00 136,750.00 85,000.00 413,269.00 
			 e-skills NTO (formerly ITNTO) 0.00 521,737.20 1,487,618.10 981,595.96 834,000.94 3,824,952.20 
			 Financial Services NTO 0.00 0.00 0.00 30,000.00 253,750.00 283,750.00 
			 Food & Drink 133,030.20 72,107.25 175,483.00 135,944.80 115,000.00 631,565.25 
			 Footwear and Leather NTO 0.00 0.00 56,282.00 130,000.00 66,000.00 252,282.00 
			 Furniture, Furnishings and Interiors NTO 0.00 0.00 0.00 69,551.25 65,000.00 134,551.25 
			 Further Education NTO 0.00 0.00 278,300.00 903,700.00 1,016,646.00 2,198,646.00 
			 Gas Industry NTO 0.00 22,000.00 130,524.10 129,121.00 105,931.00 387,576.10 
			 Glass NTO 144,350.00 57,424.64 113,020.00 331,201.00 75,000.00 720,995.64 
			 Hairdressing and Beauty Industry Authority 217,582.90 52,961.00 88,490.35 79,797.00 126,998.10 565,829.35 
			 Healthwork UK (Healthcare) 0.00 81,200.00 263,630.00 237,636.00 147,000.00 729,466.00 
			 Higher Education Staff Development Association 0.00 67,555.54 193,565.00 239,200.00 185,000.00 685,320.54 
			 Hospitality Training Foundation 319,460.50 303,060.00 367,731.00 335,120.00 315,000.00 1,640,371.50 
			 Housing Potential UK 0.00 59,772.38 126,858.00 60,000.00 57,675.00 304,305.38 
			 Information Services NTO 0.00 0.00 0.00 66,290.00 74,767.05 141,057.05 
			 Institute of Customer Service 0.00 0.00 61,066.00 108,614.00 104,999.90 274,679.90 
			 Insurance and Related Financial Services NTO 100,200.00 105,000.00 93,901.25 118,000.00 0.00 417,101.25 
			 Languages NTO 0.00 259,988.00 236,765.00 225,344.00 211,092.70 933,189.70 
			 Lantra Trust (Landbased Industries) 0.00 403,287.00 751,900.00 792,352.50 600,000.00 2,547,539.50 
			 Local Government NTO 5,000.00 1,025,127.00 245,995.10 219,508.10 205,329.50 1,700,959.70 
			 Meat Training Council 152,329.00 56,131.00 0.00 46,295.58 83,344.33 338,099.91 
			 Merchant Navy Training Board 0.00 0.00 47,486.00 96,478.00 78,000.00 221,964.00 
			 Metals Industry Skills & Performance Ltd 98,420.00 70,530.00 191,397.00 197,800.10 144,318.00 702,465.10 
			 METIER (Arts & Entertainment) 6,862.50 234,976.00 221,063.00 234,486.30 205,673.40 903,061.20 
			 Motor Industry Training Council 35,037.54 36,432.01 133,369.00 186,631.00 128,897.60 520,367.15 
			 National Electrotechnical Training — NTO 136,450.00 135,400.00 207,640.00 230,700.00 67,300.00 777,490.00 
			 National Textile Training Organisation 0.00 0.00 56,500.00 58,550.00 93,252.00 208,302.00 
			 NTO for Early Years 0.00 241,854.38 224,800.00 147,000.00 159,000.00 772,654.38 
			 nto tele.com 0.00 140,000.00 834,202.00 109,948.00 0.00 1,084,150.00 
			 Paper Education and Training Council 0.00 34,275.00 68,175.00 36,568.00 45,000.00 184,018.00 
			 PAULO NTO (Community based L & D) 0.00 0.00 0.00 51,830.00 128,860.00 180,690.00 
			 Petroleum Industry NTO 0.00 0.00 64,596.50 47,763.22 56,988.75 169,348.47 
			 Pharmaceutical Industry NTO 0.00 8,000.00 25,500.85 58,500.00 60,000.00 152,000.85 
			 Photo Imaging NTO 0.00 0.00 50,000.00 45,000.00 31,500.00 126,500.00 
			 Police Skills and Standards Organisation 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 110,000.00 110,000.00 
			 Polymer and Associated Industries NTO 0.00 30,190.00 66,310.00 122,890.00 62,600.00 281,990.00 
			 Print and Graphic Communication NTO 0.00 28,064.32 61,033.00 180,914.80 114,516.00 384,528.12 
			 Publishing NTO 0.00 0.00 0.00 148,093.00 128,111.30 276,204.30 
			 Rail Industry Training Council 0.00 105,675.00 157,275.00 115,315.00 115,000.00 493,265.00 
			
			 Refractories and Building Products Training Council 0.00 25,416.00 63,477.00 85,000.00 70,000.00 243,893.00 
			 Road Haulage and Distribution Training Council 163,899.40 88,820.97 221,095.90 183,900.00 180,000.00 837,716.27 
			 Science, Technology and Mathematics Council 379,758.20 358,732.00 322,351.00 292,753.00 188,150.80 1,541,745.00 
			 Seafish Training 114,480.10 53,649.00 93,022.00 90,663.00 90,000.00 441,814.10 
			 Security Industry Training Organisation 271,207.50 224,159.00 202,615.00 41,308.00 138,842.50 878,132.00 
			 SKILLSET (Broadcasting, Film etc) 0.00 198,090.00 671,391.10 247,719.00 145,000.00 1,262,200.10 
			 Small Firms Enterprise Development Initiative / METO 0.00 610,213.80 784,692.73 611,961.70 401,465.90 2,408,334.13 
			 SPRITO — NTO for Sport, Recreation and Allied Occupations 261,116.20 263,400.00 457,609.00 400,000.00 332,371.00 1,714,496.20 
			 The Property Services NTO 0.00 0.00 0.00 131,529.70 65,000.00 196,529.70 
			 Training Alliance for Surface Coatings 0.00 0.00 22,800.00 11,385.00 15,000.00 49,185.00 
			 Training Organisation for Personal Social Services 0.00 5,801.00 113,612.50 177,238.00 205,000.00 501,651.50 
			 TRANSFED (Passenger Transport) 228,552.00 13,109.33 260,133.70 228,125.00 220,000.00 949,920.03 
			 Ttento Ltd (Travel) 0.00 0.00 51,170.00 82,780.00 92,691.00 226,641.00 
			 Voluntary Sector NTO 0.00 150,719.00 414,953.00 230,000.00 225,000.00 1,020,672.00 
			  4,157,945.60 8,136,408.24 15,007,974.36 13,213,648.88 11,546,602.87 52,062,579.95 
			  4.158 8.136 15.008 13.214 11.547 52.063

Public Service Agreements

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many and what proportion of the public service agreements of her Department set out in the document Public Services for the Future 1998 have been met; and if she will make a statement.

Stephen Twigg: holding answer 10 July 2002
	Information relating to the Department's Public Service Agreement targets can be found in the Department for Education and Skills Departmental Report 2002.

Comprehensive Spending Review

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many staff have contributed to her Department's input to the Spending Review.

Estelle Morris: The spending review involves a comprehensive assessment of the department's performance, priorities and resource requirements and a range of staff have made and will make contributions.

Software

Brian White: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what her policy is towards using open source software; and what percentage is used in her Department.

Ivan Lewis: Currently there is very little use of Open Source Software in the Department.
	Our future use of Open Source Software will follow the Government policy which is expected to be published in summer 2002.
	The draft policy document is available for viewing at http://www.govtalk.gov.uk/rfc/rfc document.asp? docnum=429.

Software

Richard Bacon: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what guidance her Department has issued to primary schools, secondary schools, colleges, universities and education authorities relating to the purchasing of computer software; and how much she estimates was spent by these bodies on computer software over the last five years.

Ivan Lewis: The Department does not currently provide direct guidance to schools, colleges, universities and education authorities about which software products to purchase. There are however a number of sources of advice, such as the British Educational Communications and Technology Agency (Becta), to help institutions make purchasing decisions.
	Guidance supporting the National Grid for Learning Standards Fund Grant for ICT encourages schools to spend at least 15 per cent of this grant on the procurement and development of educational and operational software.
	The Department does not routinely collect data on total spend on software however the 2001 ICT in Schools Survey did report that in 1999–2000 schools in England spent an average of £800 per primary school and £5,230 per secondary on Software and Online Content.

Pressure-treated Wood

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Health regarding the safety of CCA pressure-treated wood.

Ivan Lewis: The Department has discussed the safety of CCA pressure-treated wood with officials from the Department of Health. We have also discussed the issue with DTI who represent the views of the Construction Industry; and with HSE who carried out a risk assessment of CCA products used to treat wood, under the Control of Pesticides Regulations 1986.
	In the UK wood preservatives are covered by the Control of Pesticide Regulations, and the Health and Safety Executive lead on such non-agricultural pesticides. CCA is approved for the pre-treatment of timber by pressure impregnation at industrial sites. This follows the advice to Ministers from the independent Advisory Committee on Pesticides (ACP) that such products do not present any risk to human health or the environment.
	Recently the EU Scientific Committee on Toxicity, Ecotoxicity and the Environment advised that there was a small risk to children from the use of CCA treated wood in playground equipment. Applying the precautionary principle, the Commission have subsequently drawn up proposals under the Marketing and Use Directive, which would prevent the use of CCA treated wood, with some exceptions such as for railway sleepers and electricity and telephone poles. This would prevent its use in playground equipment.

Pressure-treated Wood

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what representations her Department has received regarding the number of playgrounds using CCA pressure-treated wood.

Ivan Lewis: holding answer 17 July 2002
	The Department has not received any representations regarding the number of playgrounds using CCA pressure-treated wood. However Copper Chrome Arsenic (CCA) pressure-treated wood preservative is the most common wood preservative for softwoods which are often used externally and have been used extensively in playgrounds. There are alternative materials which can be used in place of CCA treated wood in playground equipment.

HEALTH

Social Services

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what (a) the average fee paid per person per week in each social services authority in England on purchasing places in the private and voluntary sector by social services, (b) the percentage increase in each social services authority in England, (c) the retail price index change and (d) the average wage level change was in each year since 1993–94.

Jacqui Smith: Information on the average fee paid per person per week on purchasing places in the private and voluntary sector by local authority social services is not available centrally.

Social Services

Clive Efford: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much was allocated to each London borough through (a) personal social services standard spending assessment and (b) special grants in 2001–02.

Jacqui Smith: The tables show how much was allocated to each London Borough through (a) personal social services standard spending assessment and (b) special grants in 2001–02.
	In addition, the City of London was allocated £1,280,000 from the drugs and alcohol specific grant and was responsible for pan-London services for all London Boroughs.
	
		
			 2001–02 Allocations Standard Spending Assessment Mental Health Grant Training Support Programme Children's Services Grant Promoting Independence Grant 
		
		
			  £000s £000s £000s £000s £000s 
			 Inner London  
			 City of London 2,349 29 15 83 70 
			 Camden 68,067 1,218 201 3,372 1,859 
			 Greenwich 63,824 1,067 315 3,032 1,762 
			 Hackney 77,171 1,501 198 4,526 1,914 
			 Hammersmith & Fulham 51,577 1,056 264 2,878 1,331 
			 Islington 67,954 1,039 229 4,011 1,700 
			 Kensington & Chelsea 49,290 891 195 2,390 1,324 
			 Lambeth 92,374 1,563 285 6,034 2,160 
			 Lewisham 75,867 1,551 244 4,216 1,971 
			 Southwark 87,510 1,644 345 5,095 2,116 
			 Tower Hamlets 75,331 1,337 273 3,956 1,875 
			 Wandsworth 74,746 1,216 312 3,370 2,117 
			 Westminster 71,692 1,088 355 3,216 1,979 
			 Outer London  
			 Barking & Dagenham 44,148 622 151 1,640 1,315 
			 Barnet 63,692 885 283 2,067 2,060 
			 Bexley 38,251 599 195 1,203 1,246 
			 Brent 61,747 1,068 228 3,448 1,612 
			 Bromley 49,695 706 184 1,477 1,687 
			 Croydon 61,631 1,030 238 2,780 1,764 
			 Ealing 68,086 1,131 251 3,231 1,886 
			 Enfield 56,839 863 189 2,097 1,757 
			 Haringey 61,138 1071 247 3,723 1,534 
			 Harrow 39,300 597 274 1,162 1,298 
			 Havering 38,514 584 210 1,013 1,328 
			 Hillingdon 44,054 783 296 1,616 1,409 
			 Hounslow 45,783 725 210 1,953 1,333 
			 Kingston upon Thames 23,387 515 214 767 772 
			 Merton 35,052 868 201 1,300 1,064 
			 Newham 68,797 1,561 257 3,951 1,717 
			 Redbridge 45,514 638 180 1,434 1,472 
			 Richmond upon Thames 30,779 482 200 804 1,061 
			 Sutton 31,174 466 176 983 1,015 
			 Waltham Forest 56,900 918 305 2,561 1,623 
		
	
	
		
			 2001–02 Allocations Carers' Grant Deferred Payments Grant Improving Information Management Grant Young People's Substance Misuse Planning Grant Aids Support grant Building Care Capacity Grant 
		
		
			  £000s £000s £000s £000s £000s £000s 
			 Inner London 
			 City of London 17 1 17 2 28 17 
			 Camden 519 28 17 51 803 422 
			 Greenwich 481 51 17 48 144 430 
			 Hackney 572 16 17 66 442 421 
			 Hammersmith & Fulham 395 24 92 42 592 289 
			 Islington 509 16 17 59 512 390 
			 Kensington & Chelsea 393 26 17 37 592 265 
			 Lambeth 714 37 17 88 1,000 460 
			 Lewisham 576 54 17 63 400 464 
			 Southwark 665 26 17 80 640 475 
			 Tower Hamlets 563 13 17 64 400 421 
			 Wandsworth 579 57 17 52 534 481 
			 Westminster 554 32 17 51 547 422 
			 Outer London 
			 Barking & Dagenham 315 39 17 29 60 480 
			 Barnet 496 112 17 32 240 680 
			 Bexley 294 82 17 20 41 315 
			 Brent 468 65 17 48 329 359 
			 Bromley 407 126 17 24 124 827 
			 Croydon 493 101 17 44 329 403 
			 Ealing 522 78 17 48 310 424 
			 Enfield 432 94 17 34 179 743 
			 Haringey 467 39 17 52 518 409 
			 Harrow 297 79 17 18 96 324 
			 Havering 302 92 17 17 25 555 
			 Hillingdon 342 81 57 23 121 566 
			 Hounslow 352 53 17 30 25 312 
			 Kingston upon Thames 190 53 17 11 121 179 
			 Merton 275 60 17 21 156 248 
			 Newham 505 37 96 59 451 398 
			 Redbridge 343 92 17 23 147 369 
			 Richmond upon Thames 253 59 17 13 92 411 
			 Sutton 249 63 17 17 60 289 
			 Waltham Forest 422 57 17 40 285 560

Social Services

Clive Efford: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what vacancies there were for social workers and social care staff in London social services; what the average age was of social workers and social care staff employed by the London boroughs; and how many people took early retirement from social work and social care employment by the London boroughs in (a) 1999, (b) 2000 and (c) 2001.

Jacqui Smith: This information is not available centrally.

Mutual Organisations

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent discussions he has had with mutual organisations which are delivering health and social care.

Hazel Blears: holding answer 27 June 2002
	I hosted a seminar in June with experts and practitioners in the field of social enterprise to explore thinking around social enterprise activities, and their potential contribution in partnership with public services.

Speech and Language Therapy

Geraldine Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when Morecambe Bay NHS Primary Care Trust will lift its temporary recruitment freeze on speech and language therapists.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 15 July 2002
	Morecambe Bay Primary Care Trust has not implemented a freeze on any posts, and this includes posts in the speech and language therapy service. Lancashire Education Authority recently provided additional funding of 0.4 whole time equivalent to provide speech and language therapy input to the paediatric services. The recruitment process is currently underway.

Speech and Language Therapy

Geraldine Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to improve paediatric (a) occupational, (b) physiotherapy and (c) speech and language therapy services in Morecambe and Lunesdale.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 15 July 2002
	Children's and adolescent services are one of the priorities for the Morecambe Bay health community modernisation programme. As part of this process, the group will be reviewing the needs of children with disabilities and the therapy resources which are available to support them.

Medical School

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans there are to encourage more men to attend medical school; and if he will make a statement.

John Hutton: The overall number of medical school places is being increased by 2,150 places over 1997 levels. The increase will have been delivered by autumn 2005. As part of this increase 10 medical schools will be offering shortened graduate entry 4 year courses to students with appropriate qualifications. This is intended to broaden the base of medical school intake.
	Since 1997 the number of male entrants to medical school increased by over 250. We expect that trend to continue as the remaining new places come on stream.
	Both the Department of Health and the Department for Education and Skills are committed to ensuring that there is a balanced and diverse medical student population of the requisite quality to meet the demand for doctors. This is a matter for ongoing discussion with the universities and medical schools. The Department and Higher Education Funding Council for England joint medical expansion group will continue to monitor the situation closely.
	Universities are autonomous bodies who are responsible for operating their own application systems but they collectively adhere to the "Guiding Principles for the Admission of Medical Students" issued by the Council of Heads of Medical Schools in February 1999. This guidance follows principles of fairness, diversity and equity in access.

UK Plasma Products

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the safety of UK plasma products; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: holding answer 11 July 2002
	Since 1998 United Kingdom plasma has not been used in the manufacture of plasma derived products, including clotting factors, supplied to the National Health Service. This step was taken to reduce the unknown risks of transmission of vCJD.
	Plasma products are tightly regulated by European and United States authorities to minimise the risk of viral transmission. This is achieved by the screening of donor blood and the anti-viral measures taken during manufacture. However no medicinal product can ever be completely free of risk.

Live Kidney Donations

Peter Pike: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to increase the number of live kidney donations.

David Lammy: My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State announced plans to increase organ donation and transplantation, including living kidney donation, at a transplant summit in February 2001. UK transplant, a special health authority established to carry out a range of functions to support transplantation, has been given increased funding to help more renal transplant units to set up live donor transplant programmes.

Live Donors

Peter Pike: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has for primary care trusts to contribute to a permanent fund for live donors.

David Lammy: National Health Service commissioners are expected to provide for the cost of a live donor operation and to reimburse any reasonable expenses incurred by a live donor.

Shipman Inquiry

James Purnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will publish the first report on the Shipman inquiry.

Alan Milburn: Dame Janet Smith, chairman of the Shipman inquiry published her first report today. I am grateful to her for the work she has so far carried out. Copies of the inquiry's report have been placed in the Library.

Forced Marriages

Margaret Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will amend Schedule 2, Part I, of the Children Act 1989, to require local authorities to have regard to the services provided to the victims and potential victims of forced marriages.

Jacqui Smith: Children who are the victims or potential victims of forced marriages fall within the scope of section 17 of the Children Act 1989, which places a duty on local authorities to safeguard and promote the welfare of children within their area who are in need. That duty would not be strengthened by amending the wording of Part 1 to Schedule 2 of the Act.

EU Directives

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the EU directives and regulations that have been implemented through his Department in 2002; and what was the cost of each to public funds.

David Lammy: The following European Union Directives and regulations have been implemented through the Department in 2002:
	European Parliament and Council Directive 2001/83/EC on the Community Code Relating to Medicinal Products for Human Use, which incorporated Commission Directive 2000/38/EC on administrative action relating to medicinal products (pharmacovigilance), was implemented by SI 2002/236. There was no cost to public funds associated with implementing this directive.
	Directive (2000/70/EC) and Directive (2001/104/EC) was transposed by Medical Devices Regulations 2002 (SI 2002 No. 618). No information is held on costs to public funds for this regulation but a regulatory impact assessment has been produced and placed in the House libraries.
	My Ministerial team is also responsible for making legislation in policy areas covered by the Food Standards Agency. Listed below are the relevant EU Directives and regulations that have been implemented in 2002.
	Directive 92/116/EEC and Directive 91/495/EEC were transposed by The Poultry Meat, Farmed Game Bird Meat and Rabbit Meat (Hygiene and inspection) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2001 (SI 2002/3399)
	Directive 2001/50 EC was transposed by The Colours in Food (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2001 (SI 2002/3442)
	Directive 2001/30/EC was transposed by The Miscellaneous Food Additives (England) (No. 2) Regulations 2001 (SI 2002/3775)
	Article 9 of Directive 89/398/EC was transposed by The Notification of Marketing of Food for Particular Nutritional Uses (England and Wales) Regulations 2002 (SI 2002/333)
	Directive 2001/52 was transposed by The Sweeteners in food (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2002 (SI2002/379)
	Regulation 2001/466 and Directive 2001/22 was transposed by The Contaminants in Food (England) Regulations 2002 (SI 20/02/890)
	The cost to public funds of this EU legislation is not recorded centrally and could only be assembled at disproportionate cost.

Prescription Charging

Ian Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to review the system of prescription charging, with specific reference to patients in (a) day wards and (b) in-patient centres.

David Lammy: There is no charge for medication administered on hospital premises whether the patient is an in-patient, out-patient or day surgery case. Out-patients and day case patients are required to pay a prescription charge for any medication they are given to take at home, unless they qualify for free prescriptions under the extensive charge exemptions and remission arrangements or hold a pre-payment certificate. In-patients get their discharge medication free of charge. We have no plans to change the current charging arrangements.

Health Service Expenditure

Colin Pickthall: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list by NHS hospital trust in England and Wales what has been spent on improving accident and emergency services and minor injuries services in each year since 1995.

David Lammy: The Department does not have this information by National Health Service hospital trust.
	A total of £150 million has been invested in accident and emergency departments through the accident and emergency (A&E) modernisation programme. It is the biggest investment in A&E services since the start of the NHS.
	The A&E modernisation programme enabled 180 A&E departments to be modernised. Work at 173 of these has been completed and the programme is currently 96 per cent complete.

Delayed Discharges

Clive Efford: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the (a) progress of the London boroughs in meeting his targets for the reduction of delayed discharge from hospital between September 2001 and April 2002 and (b) outstanding challenges facing the London boroughs.

Jacqui Smith: I have been asked to reply.
	In September 2001 there were 1126 people who experienced a delayed transfer of care from an acute hospital bed in London. By March 2002, the target reduction to 901 beds had been met. London Boroughs received their share of the £300 million made available through the Building Care Capacity Grant to end unnecessary delayed discharges from hospital. Their total allocation was £42,560,387 over the two years 2001–02 and 2002–03.
	London Boroughs have agreed challenging targets for further reductions, averaging between 20 per cent and 25 per cent by March 2003. The targets were set as part of the conditions for receiving the grant. For Personal Social Services, we have already announced annual average growth in real terms of 6 per cent from 2003–04 to 2005–06.

Solihull Hospital

John Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish and make locally available a document setting out which services and specialties are (a) now and (b) prospectively available to patients of Solihull hospital, and in particular details of accident and emergency services at that hospital.

David Lammy: A wide range of information is available to local residents about emergency and other services provided at Solihull Hospital by the Birmingham Heartlands and Solihull National Health Service Trust. Any changes to the services provided will be published as part of the annual patient prospectus.

Mental Health

Iain Coleman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many admissions there were of residents and former residents of each Government office region to (a) NHS and (b) private hospitals under the Mental Health Act 1983 in (i) 1999–2000, (ii) 2000–01 and (iii) 2001–02.

Jacqui Smith: The table shows numbers of admissions to National Health Service and private facilities, estimated by Government office region area, of patients detained under the Mental Health Act 1983 in England, for 1999–2000 to 2000–01. Figures for 2001–02 will be available later this year.
	
		Admissions to NHS and private facilities, within Government Office Region areas, of patients detained under the Mental Health Act 1983 and other legislation, England, 1999–2000 and 2000–01
		
			  1999–2000 2000–01 
		
		
			 NHS Facilities   
			 England 25,200 25,220 
			 North East 1,070 1,050 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 1,950 1,920 
			 East Midlands 1,480 1,930 
			 West Midlands 2,290 2,410 
			 South West 2,130 2,310 
			 East of England 2,130 2,050 
			 London 7,540 6,900 
			 South East 3,390 3,400 
			 South West 3,220 3,250 
			 Private Facilities   
			 England 1,410 1,410 
			 North East 10 10 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 40 40 
			 East Midlands 110 40 
			 West Midlands 30 30 
			 South West 50 40 
			 East of England 70 150 
			 London 770 740 
			 South East 230 250 
			 South West 110 100 
		
	
	Source: KP90
	Figures have been rounded to the nearest ten.
	Figures may not add up due to rounding.
	NHS facilities exclude high security psychiatric hospitals.

Mental Health

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he received concerning the new draft Mental Health Bill prior to its publication; and if he will place them in the Library.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 8 July 2002
	The proposals in the Draft Mental Health Bill have been the subject of a long process of consultation by the Government, starting with the Green Paper Reform of the Mental Health Act 1983 published in November 1999. Responses to that document (where the respondent gave permission) were placed in the Libraries of the House of Commons and the House of Lords. Since then there have been informal discussions with key stakeholders and letters have been received, for example following the publication of the White Paper Reforming the Mental Health Act published in December 2000. None of these, however, were part of a formal consultation process and there was no expectation by those making representations that the comments would be made public.

Correspondence

Robert Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will reply to the letter to the Minister of State, Dept of Health from the hon. Member for Salisbury dated 29 April about mental health services in South Wiltshire.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 11 July 2002
	A reply was sent on 17 July.

Fostering

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many placements of foster children have taken place in each of the last five years for which figures are available.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 17 July 2002
	The data available is shown in the table.
	
		Estimated number of placements in foster care starting during the years ending 31 March 1997 to 2001 -- EnglandNumber
		
			 Year Number of foster placements 
		
		
			 1997 59,400 
			 1998 60,000 
			 1999 57,500 
			 2000 56,900 
			 2001 49,000 
		
	
	Notes:
	The above table excludes children looked after under a series of short term placements
	It will also be noted that the fall in the number of foster placements starting in any one year is mirrored by the increase in their duration. That is, in any one year, whilst there are fewer placements, they last longer.

Dentistry

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what assessment he has made of the impact dental charges are having on the provision of dental health care for people from low income backgrounds;
	(2)  what steps the Government are taking to ensure necessary dental health care is provided to those who are working on low incomes and not receiving benefit.

David Lammy: Working people who are receiving Working Families' Tax Credit or Disabled Person's Tax Credit at the full rate or maximum credit reduced by £72.20 or less per week do not have to pay National Health Service dental charges. Others on a low income may be entitled to free treatment via the NHS low income scheme and those not entitled to full remission of charges may get partial help under this scheme.
	The table below shows the number of exempt adult courses of treatment in England for the years 1996–97 to 2000–01. It is not possible to draw firm conclusions about the impact of dental charges from these figures, but the most likely explanation is that they reflect an improvement in economic circumstances. Research has indicated that increases in charges do not have any significant long-term effect on attendance. There are many factors that influence attendance patterns, the primary ones being attitude and habit.
	
		General Dental Service: Number of exempt adult courses of treatment for the years 1996–67 to 2001–02 England
		
			  Number of adult item of service claims Yearly change (exempt patients) 
			 Year Exempt Total claims per cent of exempt patients Number per cent 
		
		
			 1996–97 6,563,219 24,720,185 27 .. .. 
			 1997–98 6,648,036 25,434,402 26 84,817 1 
			 1998–99 6,694,274 26,316,085 25 46,238 1 
			 1999–2000 6,493,808 26,058,380 25 -200,466 -3 
			 2000–01 6,449,067 26,481,669 24 -44,741 -1 
			 2001–02 6,297,940 26,390,667 24 -151,127 -2

Energy

Andrew Stunell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the estimated (a) level and (b) cost of energy use in his Department and associated agencies was in each year since 1997; what proportion of energy was generated from renewable sources; and if he will make a statement.

David Lammy: I refer the hon. Member to the reply provided by my right hon. Friend the Minister for State at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Alun Michael) on 3 July 2002, Official Report, column 384–85W.
	The information provided does not reflect the current Department of Health position with regard to the procurement of Renewable Energy.
	The Department's main electricity supply contract was re-tendered in November 2001 and the approved supplier, London Electricity, provides 92.1 per cent. of our electricity requirement with renewable energy which is not subject to the climate change levy.

Empty Properties

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the empty residential properties in each London borough in the ownership of his Department and its agencies, giving (a) the type of accommodation, (b) how long each property has been vacant and (c) what the intended future use is of the property.

David Lammy: The Department and its agencies has no empty residential properties in any London borough.

HOME DEPARTMENT

Antisocial Behaviour Orders

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department further to his answer to the hon. Member for the Isle of Wight (Mr. Turner) of 11 February 2002, Official Report, column 48W, on antisocial behaviour orders, how many of the antisocial behaviour orders given in each police/magistrates' court committee area between 1 April 1999 and 30 September 2001 have been breached; and how many of these breaches have resulted in a sentence of imprisonment.

John Denham: The information is currently being collated, and I will write to the hon. Member when the results are known.

Antisocial Behaviour Orders

Mark Tami: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many antisocial behaviour orders have been applied by UK local authorities in the last year.

John Denham: An anti-social behaviour order (ASBO) is a civil order made by a court which currently can be applied for by a local authority or the police or both combined. The table shows the number of notifications received by the Home Office of ASBOs issued in England and Wales for 2001 (latest available). There were 11 ASBO applications during this period which were refused. Where an ASBO is refused we do not hold information on the applicant.
	
		Number of anti-social behaviour orders reported to the Home Office for 2001
		
			 Applicant Total number issued 
		
		
			 Local Authority 173 
			 Police 94 
			 Joint application 9 
			 Not known 7 
			 Total 283 
		
	
	We are currently considering whether any further checks are needed to ensure the accuracy of the number of ASBOs reported.
	Matters relating to local authorities in Scotland and Northern Ireland are for my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland (Helen Liddell) and Northern Ireland (Dr. John Reid).

Young Offenders

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many young people aged 18 to 20 years have a criminal record by region expressed as (a) a percentage and (b) total number, ranked in descending order according to percentages for the latest date for which figures are available.

John Denham: holding answer 30 January 2002
	The latest available information relates to an analysis of a cohort of people born in 1978. Of the 307,000 males and 289,000 females born in 1978 it is estimated that 14.8 per cent of males and 3.0 per cent of females had a conviction for a standard list offence by the age of 20. No information is available on the number of persons with cautions, reprimands or final warnings.
	Information is not held centrally on the address of an offender. However the police force area in which an offender received his or her most recent conviction can be used as a proxy. The police force areas have been combined to show numbers and percentages convicted by Government Office region.
	
		Persons born in 1978 with a conviction for one or more standard list offences whilst aged 20 or under, by region and gender (9).
		
			  Males aged 20 or under with a conviction: percentage with most recent conviction in region Females aged 20 or under with a conviction: percentage with most recent conviction in region Number of males aged 20 or under with a conviction, by region of most recent conviction Number of females aged 20 or under with a conviction, by region of most recent conviction 
		
		
			 All Regions 100.0 per cent 100.0 per cent 45,300 8,030 
			 North West 16.9 per cent 13.3 per cent 7,600 1,070 
			 London 13.4 per cent 16.2 per cent 6,100 1,300 
			 South East 12.5 per cent 10.2 per cent 5,700 820 
			
			 West Midlands 10.9 per cent 7.9 per cent 4,900 640 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 10.1 per cent 10.8 per cent 4,600 870 
			 Eastern 8.9 per cent 7.1 per cent 4,000 570 
			 East Midlands 7.9 per cent 11.5 per cent 3,600 920 
			 South West 7.4 per cent 10.2 per cent 3,300 820 
			 Wales 6.6 per cent 5.0 per cent 3,000 400 
			 North East 5.6 per cent 7.8 per cent 2,500 620 
		
	
	(9) The number of persons in the table is obtained by examining the criminal histories of all persons born during four weeks of 1978; the distribution of offences and geographic location is representative of all persons born during 1978; the numbers are scaled to represent all 1978 births. The region shown covers the police force area in which the individual received his or her most recent conviction; any previous convictions could have been recorded in other regions.

Race Riots

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the total public cost of the 2001 race riots was, broken down by local authority concerned.

John Denham: The cost of the disturbances in the summer 2001; as broken down by local authority areas are as follows:
	
		
			  
		
		
			 Oldham (26–29 May 2001) £165,451 cost to local authority; 
			  £2,244,354 additional costs to Greater Manchester Police: at event; 
			  £32,097 subsequent high visibility patrols; 
			  £218,077 cost of repair and replacement of vehicles to Greater Manchester Police; 
			 Burnley (24–26 July 2001) £110,000 cost to local authority; 
			  £1,266,851 additional costs to Lancashire Constabulary; 
			 Bradford (7–10 July 2001) £121,347.03 cost to local authority; 
			  £3,453,000 additional costs to West Yorkshire Police; 
			 Stoke-on-Trent £870,000 additional costs to Staffordshire Police. 
		
	
	Greater Manchester, Lancashire and West Yorkshire Police Authorities have also received claims for compensation under the Riot (Damages) Act (1886). I understand that the settlement process is still continuing.
	On 30 January I announced to the House, Official Report, column 302W that the Home Secretary had agreed to meet around two-thirds of extra cost of policing the disturbances, and had agreed grants as follows: West Yorkshire Police Authority £2.22 million; Greater Manchester Police Authority £1.44 million; Lancashire Police Authority £0.82 million; Staffordshire Police Authority £0.56 million. The sums paid are higher than would normally be provided under arrangements for special grant.

Drug Crime

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the most recent figures are for the proportion of crime that is drug related in (a) Lancashire, (b) the North West of England and (c) Wales.

Bob Ainsworth: Recorded crime figures include statistics on drugs offences; such as possession, and on acquisitive crimes, such as burglary, but do not record whether the latter are related to an offender's drug habits.
	The New English and Welsh Arrestees Drug Abuse Monitoring (NEW-ADAM) research programme of interviewing and drug testing those arrested by the police sheds some light on the links between drugs and crime, although the conclusions do not relate specifically to the North West region or to Wales. As a guide to the proportion of crime that is drug-related, research based on eight locations (1999–2000) indicates that more than three-fifths (by value) of acquisitive crime, is committed by users of both heroin and cocaine/crack.
	The numbers of acquisitive crimes recorded by the police in each of the three areas in 2001–02 are set out in Table 1. Acquisitive crimes are burglary, theft and robbery.
	
		Table 1: Acquisitive crimes recorded by the police, 2001–02
		
			  Acquisitive crimes 
		
		
			 Lancashire 98,559 
			 North West 598,665 
			 Wales 165,953 
		
	
	Source:
	"Crime in England and Wales 2001–2002": Home Office Statistical Bulletin 07/02.

Drug Crime

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were (a) arrested and (b) convicted of drug dealing in (i) Lancashire, (ii) the North West of England and (iii) Wales in the last year for which figures are available.

Bob Ainsworth: Arrest data are not available centrally to the level of detail required. The following table presents information for each area requested on the number of (a) drug dealing offences referred to court and (b) drug dealing convictions in 2000.
	
		Number of drug dealing offences in 2000
		
			 Area Referred to court Convicted 
		
		
			 Lancashire (police force area) 369 249 
			 North West 2,390 1,706 
			 Wales 1,078 734 
		
	
	(1) Police forces included in the total for the North West (Government Office Region) are as follows: Cheshire, Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Merseyside. Police forces included in the total for Wales are: Dyfed Powys, Gwent, North Wales and South Wales.
	(2) The term "dealing" is taken to cover the following drug offences: possession with intent to supply unlawfully, unlawful supply, and unlawful import/export.
	Source:
	Drug and Alcohol Research Unit.

Drugs

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what he estimates to be the social and economic costs in the most recent year for which figures are available of illegal drugs in (a) Wales and (b) Lancashire.

Bob Ainsworth: The University of York, Centre for Criminal Justice Economics & Psychology (Culyer A., Eaton G., Godfrey C. et al., 2002) has recently completed a research report for the Home Office entitled "The Economic and Social Costs of Class A Drugs Misuse in England and Wales, 2000". The report will be published as a Home Office Research Study (HORS) Autumn 2002, but does not include any country or regional breakdown of costs.

Drugs

Paul Stinchcombe: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what evidence he has collated of links between (a) acquisitive and (b) violent crime and the use of (i) cannabis, (ii) amphetamines, (iii) LSD, (iv) cocaine, (v) ecstasy, (vi) heroin and (vii) crack.

Bob Ainsworth: No statistical data are collected on offences that may have been committed due to specific drug taking. However, the New English and Welsh Arrestee Drug Abuse Monitoring (NEW-ADAM) research published between 1998 and 2001 sheds some light on the links between drugs and acquisitive crime. The research is insufficiently advanced to reveal the precise links between drugs and violent crime.
	What the most recently published research does indicate is that users of both heroin and cocaine/crack (just under a quarter of the arrestees interviewed) are responsible for more than 60 per cent of the illegal income reported. Furthermore, 53 per cent of the arrestees reported having committed one or more acquisitive crimes in the last year. This increased to 62 per cent of those who had used any drug in the past 12 months, and 75 per cent of those who had used heroin and/or cocaine/crack in the last year. The latter group reported an average of 432 acquisitive crimes in the year—nearly 10 times the rate for non-drug-users. Therefore, drug use in general, and especially use of heroin and/or cocaine/crack, is associated with higher levels of crime.
	There is little evidence of any strong links between acquisitive or violent crime and cannabis, amphetamine, ecstasy or LSD use.

Drugs

Colin Challen: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were convicted of (a) class A and (b) class B drug offences in (i) Leeds and (ii) each of the English regions in the past 10 years.

Bob Ainsworth: The information requested, relating to persons convicted for (a) Class A and (b) Class B drug offences in Leeds and the English regions for the years 1993 to 2000 is shown in the table.
	A breakdown between the different classes of drug was not collected centrally prior to 1993. Statistics for 2001 will be available in the Autumn.
	
		Numbers of persons convicted of Class A and Class B drug offences in England 1993–2000, by region, showing Leeds separately
		
			 Region 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 
		
		
			  Persons convicted of offences involving 1  Class A 2  drugs  
			 East 234 233 363 513 620 790 892 945 
			 East Midlands 189 203 254 316 479 615 821 1,034 
			 London 1,598 1,963 2,076 2,125 2,184 3,043 3,651 3,435 
			 North East 174 152 167 238 328 421 538 853 
			 North West 867 1,021 1,319 1,636 1,902 2,003 2,071 2,125 
			 South East 374 445 622 675 857 1,199 1,508 1,702 
			 South West 296 345 603 659 814 845 1,070 1,192 
			 West Midlands 3 270 281 404 552 827 992 1,177 1,537 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 472 528 778 1,226 1,755 1,983 2,209 2,214 
			 Of which: 
			 Leeds Petty Sessional Area 4  81 72 169 220 341 431 486 416 
			 Total England 4,474 5,171 6,586 7,940 9,766 11,891 13,937 15,037 
			  Persons convicted of offences involving 1  Class B 2  drugs  
			 East 1,231 1,643 2,037 2,142 2,593 2,778 2,669 2,084 
			 East Midlands 954 1,247 1,462 1,574 1,937 2,163 1,832 1,546 
			 London 3,267 4,922 4,345 4,267 5,137 6,673 6,279 5,366 
			 North East 648 721 814 1,019 1,132 1,703 1,924 1,872 
			 North West 2,850 3,356 3,886 3,905 4,558 5,493 5,046 4,235 
			 South East 1,836 2,600 3,095 3,119 3,533 4,680 4,379 3,571 
			 South West 3 1,081 1,389 1,674 1,671 1,854 2,348 2,333 2,038 
			 West Midlands 1,082 1,365 1,626 1,707 2,335 2,876 2,620 2,457 
			
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 1,629 1,922 2,326 2,476 3,003 3,654 3,318 2,637 
			 Of which: Leeds Petty Sessional Area 4  326 349 514 463 570 684 481 396 
			 Total England 14,578 19,165 21,265 21,880 26,082 32,368 30,400 25,806 
		
	
	(1) Trafficking, production, supply, possession etc.
	(2) Excludes a small number of offences where the type of drug is unknown.
	(3) Staffordshire Police were only able to supply a sample of data for magistrates' courts proceedings covering one full week in each quarter for 2000. Estimates based on this sample are included in the figures, as they are considered sufficiently robust at this high level of analysis.
	(4) Also includes convictions at the Crown Court where Leeds was the committing Magistrates' court

Cannabis

Jimmy Wray: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how much cannabis a person would have to possess to be able to arrest them for dealing in the drug;
	(2)  how many cautions a person will be allowed to receive for possession of cannabis;
	(3)  what measures are in place to ensure that cannabis is not (a) used and (b) dealt near schools and other places where children are present;
	(4)  which class A and B drugs are to have sentences for dealing and possession increased; and what the new sentences will be.

Bob Ainsworth: There are no plans to increase sentences for supply and possession of any Class A or B drug. The table sets out the current maximum penalties.
	
		Misuse of drugs offences—current maximum penalties
		
			 Offence Class A Class B 
		
		
			 Supply of a controlled drug Life or a fine or both 14 years or a fine or both 
			 Possession of a controlled drug 7 years or a fine or both 5 years or a fine or both 
		
	
	The police can arrest someone who is in possession of cannabis, as a dealer, if they have reasonable grounds to suspect that the person has committed an offence of possession with intent to supply. The Home Affairs Committee, however, was not persuaded that an intent to supply should be presumed on the basis of the amount of a drug found and the Government has accepted this view. There would be considerable practical difficulty in setting a figure for the amount of cannabis possessed to constitute a criminal offence of possession with intent to supply. Dealers would exploit this by ensuring that the amount of the drug held by them remained below such a figure. The amount of the drug found in possession is an important factor, but not the only one, to consider in deciding on intent to supply. Other factors, such as other items in the person's possession or intelligence information gathered, might also be relevant.
	The Association of Chief Police Officers is currently developing a model for enforcing cannabis possession offences which they expect to issue this Autumn, following consultation. It is expected that the majority of first offences of cannabis possession by an adult will be dealt with by way of a formal warning from the police, together with confiscation of the drug. Further offending, or offending where there are aggravating factors, such as that involving a flagrant disregard for the law or which threatens public order, could result in arrest, followed by a caution or prosecution.
	Youth offenders will be dealt with in the same manner as they are for all other offences, as detailed in the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 Final Warning Scheme. Under that scheme, they should be reported for the offence and a decision should be made on their case disposal from the options of a reprimand, final warning or charge. A young person with no previous offending history should receive a reprimand. A second offence will lead to a warning or charge, depending on its seriousness. Any further offending following a warning will normally result in a charge being brought.
	Frequent use is an indication of vulnerability and this needs to be taken seriously. Hence, after a final warning, a youth offender must be referred to the Youth Offending Team to arrange a rehabilitation programme to prevent reoffending.
	We are currently launching local Safer Schools Partnerships with an initial 100 police officers in schools by September, which will help to make the communities around schools safer places to be. The Department for Education and Skills encourages all schools to have a drug incident management policy agreed by the governors, staff and parents in consultation with the local police. Schools are also encouraged to involve pupils in this process.
	We are considering the introduction of a separate criminal offence of supplying drugs to young people which would attract higher maximum sentences than are currently available. Those who deal near schools would be sentenced severely.

Law Enforcement Priorities

Mark Tami: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidance he gives to individual police forces regarding priorities in law enforcement.

John Denham: Under the Police Act 1996 the Home Secretary sets strategic objectives for the police. These are commonly known as the Ministerial Priorities. For the current year, 2002–03, these are:
	To help create safe communities by reducing crime, anti-social behaviour and disorder through effective partnership working, including reducing the availability and use of Class A drugs.
	To reduce the fear of crime in all sections of the community and in particular to increase the trust and confidence in policing amongst minority ethnic communities.
	To increase the number of offences for which offenders, and particularly persistent offenders, are caught and brought to justice, in partnership with other criminal justice agencies.
	Guidance on how best to achieve these priorities is not issued by the Home Office. It is for each Chief Officer, in consultation with their police authority, to determine the allocation of resources in a way which ensures that the Ministerial Priorities are complied with.

Metropolitan Police

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many frontline Metropolitan police officers have less than two years' experience, broken down by Greater London borough; and if he will make statement.

John Denham: The information in the table has been provided by the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis. Newly appointed Police Officers serve a period of probation which normally lasts for two years. The table shows the number of probationer officers by borough. They all perform frontline duties.
	
		
			 Greater London Borough Probationer Strength as at 31 May 2002 
		
		
			 Kensington & Chelsea 79 
			 Westminster 216 
			 Camden 101 
			 Hammersmith & Fulham 70 
			 Hackney 93 
			 Tower Hamlets 92 
			 Waltham Forest 61 
			 Redbridge 54 
			 Havering 52 
			 Newham 90 
			 Barking & Dagenham 29 
			 Lambeth 118 
			 Southwark 86 
			 Islington 85 
			 Lewisham 92 
			 Bromley 58 
			 Harrow 48 
			 Brent 85 
			 Greenwich 87 
			 Bexley 51 
			 Barnet 78 
			 Richmond upon Thames 32 
			 Hounslow 51 
			 Kingston upon Thames 36 
			 Merton 34 
			 Wandsworth 98 
			 Ealing 90 
			 Hillingdon 45 
			 Enfield 72 
			 Haringey 85 
			 Croydon 85 
			 Sutton 36 
			 Borough Total 2,389

Metropolitan Police

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of the Metropolitan Police accommodation used to house police officers undergoing their intial training is owned by the Metropolitan Police Force; who owns the properties being used by the Metropolitan Police for accommodation which are not owned by the Metropolitan Police; and if he will make a statement.

John Denham: The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis informs me that the Metropolitan Police Authority owns or leases all the accommodation used to house police officers undergoing their initial training. Currently, 18 per cent of available bed spaces for recruits are leased from the Ministry of Defence at Mill Hill Barracks.

Special Constables

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the average gap between recruitment and enlistment of special constables was in the Metropolitan Police in the last 12 months.

John Denham: The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis informs me that the average processing time for applicants to the Metropolitan Special Constabulary in the past 12 months was 12 weeks (from date of receipt of application to attestation).

Special Constables

Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many special constables there were in Buckinghamshire in each of the last five years for which figures are available.

John Denham: holding answer 16 July 2002
	The Home Office records the number of special constables by police force, not by county. The number of special constables in Thames Valley Constabulary at 30 September between 1997–2001 is as follows:
	
		
			 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 
		
		
			 694 587 472 463 377 
		
	
	Figures supplied by Thames Valley Police.
	Special constables are a key element of our police reform agenda. We are working on a package of measures to help reverse the decline in the number of special constables by improving the way they are recruited, managed and deployed. We are publishing guidance on good practice by the end of the year. We are also keen to improve liaison with employers and to encourage recognition of the wealth of skills and experience that specials bring to the workplace. We have also set aside £300,000 to help "specials champions" drive forward initiatives to improve recruitment and retention.

Police Stations

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police stations (a) closed and (b) opened in each police authority area in each year since 1979; and if he will make a statement.

John Denham: holding answer 2 July 2002
	Data are only available from 1990–91. Copies of the table detailing the number of police stations closed and opened, and the total numbers of police stations for each police authority since 1990–91 will be placed in the Library.
	Information is available from all 43 forces for the total number of police stations for the three years to March 2000, March 2001 and March 2002. A number of forces were unable to provide data on total police stations or on numbers opened or closed for earlier years and this is reflected in the table.
	
		Number of Police Stations Opened and Closed since 1990–1996
		
			  Mar 90  Mar 91 Mar 92 Mar 93 Mar 94 Mar 95 Mar 96 
			  No of Police Stations Opd Clsd Total Opd Clsd Total Opd Clsd Total Opd Clsd Total Opd Clsd Total Opd Clsd Total 
		
		
			 Avon & Somerset 82 0 0 82 0 0 82 0 -1 81 0 -13 68 0 -6 62 0 -14 48 
			 Bedfordshire (1) 
			 Cambridgeshire 35 0 -2 33 0 -2 31 0 -1 30 0 0 30 0 0 30 0 -1 29 
			 Cheshire 39 0 0 39 0 0 39 0 0 39 0 0 39 0 0 39 0 0 39 
			 City of London 2 0 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 2 
			 Cleveland 17 0 0 17 0 0 17 0 0 17 1 0 18 2 0 20 2 0 22 
			 Cumbria 24 0 0 24 0 0 24 0 0 24 10 0 34 0 0 34 0 0 34 
			 Derbyshire  
			 Devon & Cornwall 98 1 -5 94 0 -2 92 0 -3 89 2 -7 84 1 -7 78 4 -8 74 
			 Dorset 27 0 0 27 0 0 27 0 0 27 0 0 27 1 -1 27 0 0 27 
			 Durham 41 0 -1 40 0 0 40 0 0 40 0 0 40 3 -1 42 0 0 42 
			 Dyfed-Powys 45 0 0 45 0 0 45 0 0 45 0 0 45 0 0 45 2 0 47 
			 Essex (2) (3) (2) N/A N/A N/A 114 1 -1 114 1 -1 114 1 -2 113 2 -1 114 0 0 114 
			 Gloucestershire 71 0 0 71 0 -3 68 0 -2 66 0 -3 63 0 0 63 0 0 63 
			 Gtr Manchester 96 0 0 96 0 0 96 0 0 96 0 -3 93 0 -11 82 0 0 82 
			 Gwent (5)  
			 Hampshire 126 0 -2 124 0 -1 123 0 -6 117 0 -4 113 1 -2 112 0 -4 108 
			 Hertfordshire (3) 55 1 -1 55 0 0 55 0 0 55 0 0 55 0 -32 23 0 0 23 
			 Humberside 38 0 0 38 0 0 38 0 0 38 0 0 38 1 -2 37 0 -2 35 
			 Kent 46 0 0 46 0 0 46 0 -7 39 2 -2 39 0 -4 35 1 -4 32 
			 Lancashire 111 0 -1 110 0 0 110 1 0 111 1 -1 111 0 0 111 2 -2 111 
			 Leicestershire 26 1 -1 26 0 0 26 0 0 26 0 0 26 0 0 26 0 -1 25 
			 Lincolnshire 45 1 0 46 1 -1 46 3 -1 48 3 -3 48 2 -2 48 0 0 48 
			 Metropolitan (3)  
			 Merseyside 53 0 0 53 0 0 53 1 -1 53 0 -1 52 0 0 52 0 0 52 
			 Norfolk
			 Northamptonshire 11 0 0 11 0 0 11 0 0 11 0 0 11 0 0 11 0 0 11 
			 Northumbria
			 North Wales (1)
			 North Yorkshire   
			 Noltinghamshire 63 0 -1 62 0 0 62 0 -1 61 0 0 61 1 -1 61 3 -1 63 
			 South Wales (4) 150 26 -2 174 2 -13 163 4 -9 158 1 -2 157 2 -4 155 3 -5 153 
			 South Yorkshire 89 0 0 89 0 -1 88 1 0 89 0 0 89 0 -3 86 1 0 87 
			 Staffordshire 39 0 0 39 0 0 39 0 0 39 0 0 39 0 0 39 0 0 39 
			 Suffolk 51 0 0 51 0 -1 50 0 -23 27 0 0 27 0 0 27 0 0 27 
			 Surrey (3) 33 0 -1 32 0 0 32 0 0 32 0 0 32 0 -2 30 0 0 
			 Sussex 34 0 0 34 0 0 34 0 0 34 0 0 34 0 0 34 0 0 34 
			 Thames Valley 49 0 0 49 1 0 50 2 0 52 0 0 52 1 -1 52 1 -1 52 
			 Warwickshire 18 1 -1 18 0 -1 17 0 0 17 0 0 17 0 0 17 0 -2 15 
			 West Mercia 110 0 -22 88 1 -8 81 0 -11 70 0 -4 66 0 -4 62 0 -7 55 
			 West Midlands 77 0 0 77 1 -2 76 0 0 76 0 -1 75 1 0 76 0 -1 75 
			 West Yorkshire 
			 Wiltshire 42 0 0 42 0 0 42 0 0 42 0 -7 35 1 -4 32 0 -2 30 
			 TOTALS (6) 1843 31 -40 1948 7 -36 1919 13 -67 1865 21 -53 1833 19 -88 1764 19 -55 1728 
		
	
	
		Number of Police Stations Opened and Closed since 1997–2002
		
			  Mar 97 Mar 98 Mar 99 Mar 00 Mar 01 Mar 02 
			  Opd Clsd Total Opd Clsd Total Opd Clsd Total Opd Clsd Total Opd Clsd Total Opd 
		
		
			 Avon & Somerset 0 -13 35 2 -1 36 3 0 39 0 0 39 2 0 41 1 
			 Bedfordshire (1)  2 (1)N/A 11 0 -1 10 0 
			 Cambridgeshire 0 0 29 0 -1 28 1 -4 25 0 0 25 0 -1 24 0 
			 Cheshire 0 -1 38 0 0 38 0 -2 36 0 -3 33 2 0 35 0 
			 City of London 0 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 2 0 
			 Cleveland 2 0 24 0 -1 23 1 -2 22 0 0 22 0 0 22 0 
			 Cumbria 1 -1 34 0 0 34 0 -10 24 0 0 24 0 0 24 1 
			 Derbyshire 25 2 0 27 1 
			 Devon & Cornwall 2 -5 71 1 -4 68 3 -3 68 1 -4 65 1 -1 65 0 
			 Dorset 0 0 27 0 0 27 0 -1 26 1 -1 26 0 -1 25 3 
			 Durham 2 -4 40 1 -1 40 0 0 40 0 0 40 3 -3 40 0 
			 Dyfed-Powys 0 -3 44 4 -1 47 1 0 48 0 0 48 0 0 48 0 
			 Essex (2) (3) 1 -1 114 0 0 114 1 -1 114 1 -43 72 4 -19 57 1 
			 Gloucestershire 0 -1 62 1 0 63 0 -4 59 0 -12 47 1 -6 42 2 
			 Gtr Manchester 0 0 82 1 -9 74 0 -4 70 0 0 70 0 -2 68 0 
			 Gwent (5)  57 (5)N/A (4)-5 52 (4)4 (5)N/A 56 0 -7 49 0 
			 Hampshire 5 -9 104 1 -3 102 0 -8 94 0 -2 92 1 -4 89 0 
			 Hertfordshire (3) 0 0 23 1 -1 23 0 0 23 0 -2 21 4 0 25 0 
			 Humberside 0 0 35 1 0 36 0 -2 34 1 -2 33 2 -2 33 0 
			 Kent 1 -1 32 3 -3 32 1 -1 32 0 0 32 0 -2 30 0 
			 Lancashire 0 -2 109 0 -1 108 1 -1 108 0 0 108 0 -1 107 1 
			 Leicestershire 3 0 28 2 -2 28 3 -3 28 2 0 30 0 0 30 1 
			 Lincolnshire 1 -6 43 0 -1 42 1 -1 42 0 0 42 0 0 42 0 
			 Metropolitan (3)156 0 -12 144 4 
			 Merseyside 0 0 52 0 -1 51 0 -1 50 0 -6 44 0 -1 43 0 
			 Norfolk42 0 0 42 5 
			 Northamptonshire 1 0 12 0 0 12 0 0 12 0 0 12 0 0 12 0 
			 Northumbria36 0 0 36 0 
			 North Wales (1)  (1)N/A -5 54 0 -2 52 0 
			 North Yorkshire35 0 0 35 0 
			 Noltinghamshire 1 0 64 0 -22 42 1 -1 42 2 0 44 2 0 46 1 
			 South Wales (4) 4 -19 138 1 -2 137 4 -5 136 1 -12 125 1 -4 122 1 
			 South Yorkshire 0 -3 84 2 0 86 0 -4 82 0 -2 80 3 -6 77 6 
			 Staffordshire 0 0 39 1 -2 38 1 -1 38 1 -1 38 0 0 38 2 
			 Suffolk 0 0 27 1 0 28 0 0 28 0 0 28 0 0 28 0 
			 Surrey (3) 0 0 30 0 -2 28 0 -2 26 0 -4 22 6 0 28 1 
			 Sussex 0 0 34 0 0 34 1 0 35 1 0 36 0 0 36 0 
			 Thames Valley 1 0 53 1 -7 47 9 -1 55 2 -2 55 0 -4 51 2 
			
			 Warwickshire 0 0 15 0 0 15 0 0 15 0 0 15 0 0 15 0 
			 West Mercia 0 -2 53 0 0 53 4 -4 53 1 -1 53 1 -1 53 1 
			 West Midlands 0 -3 72 0 -2 70 0 -1 69 0 -1 68 0 0 68 1 
			 West Yorkshire40 0 0 40 0 
			 Wiltshire 0 -2 28 0 -2 26 0 -2 24 0 0 24 0 0 24 1 
			 TOTALS (6) 25 -76 1677 24 -69 1689 36 -74 1651 20 -103 1970 35 -80 1925 36 
		
	
	(1) Comprehensive data for openings/closures for Bedfordshire and North Wales for 1999–2000 are not available. First "Total" numbers available are for March 2000.
	(2) Data not available for the total number of police stations in Essex at March 1990, or the number of openings/closures during 1990–91. The first "Total" figure available is for March 1991.
	(3) 12 police stations were transferred by the Metropolitan Police Authority to boundary forces in April 2000; Essex (2), Herts (4) and Surrey (6).
	(4) In 1996–97 South Wales Police transferred nine police stations to Gwent.
	(5) Figures for Gwent opening/closures in 1998–99 and 1999–2000 are net openings/closures.
	(6) The totals given for 1990 cover data from 33 forces only. Data was not available from the remaining 10 forces. The totals given for 1991–97 cover data from 34 forces. The total figures for the number of police stations for 1998 and 1999 cover data from 35 forces. Although the figures for the total number of police stations for March 2000 covers data from all 43 forces, data on the number of openings/closures in 1999–2000 are only available from 37 forces.

Police (National Insurance)

Peter Luff: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department by how much he estimates he would have to increase his Department's grant to the West Mercia Constabulary from April 2003 to meet the costs of the increased national insurance employers' contributions due from that month.

John Denham: In common with other public sector employers, police authorities will be expected to meet any additional National Insurance employer's contributions within funding available to them from 2003–04.

Speed Enforcement

Mark Tami: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the average (a) number and (b) proportion of each police force was employed in speed enforcement on roads in the last five years.

Bob Ainsworth: Information in the form requested is not collected. Data is however collected by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) for the number of officers who are deployed to all traffic duties. The table shows the number of police officers, as at 31 March, for each year from 1998 to 2001 who were deployed to traffic duties in each force in England and Wales and what proportion this was of the strength of each force. Figures for 2002 are not yet available.
	The basis on which HMIC classify police service staff changed in the year 1999–2000 so the figures for 31 March 2000 and 31 March 2001 are not directly comparable with those for earlier years. Some officers counted as deployed to traffic duties in earlier years may, from 1999–2000 onward, have been recorded as deployed to duties relating to traffic wardens.
	
		Traffic Officers 1997/98 to 2000–01
		
			  1997–98  1998–99  1999–2000  2000–01  
			 FORCES Traffic per cent of strength Traffic per cent of strength Traffic per cent of strength Traffic per cent of total strength 
		
		
			 England and Wales 7,951 6.40 7,806 6.30 7,522 6.20 7,238 5.90 
			 Avon and Somerset 211 7.10 207 6.90 200 6.80 211 7.10 
			 Bedfordshire 89 8.20 79 7.60 73 7.10 69 6.70 
			 Cambridgeshire 91 7.00 96 7.50 93 7.50 86 6.60 
			 Cheshire 204 10.00 205 9.90 196 9.70 187 9.30 
			 City of London 32 3.40 24 3.10 22 3.00 24 3.40 
			 Cleveland 82 5.50 67 4.70 68 4.80 63 4.50 
			 Cumbria 117 10.00 117 10.40 119 11.00 111 10.60 
			 Derbyshire 139 7.80 147 8.40 139 7.80 136 7.50 
			 Devon and Cornwall 215 7.30 212 7.30 215 7.60 202 6.90 
			 Dorset 93 7.10 77 6.00 83 6.30 86 6.40 
			 Durham 115 7.60 117 7.50 116 7.40 113 7.10 
			 Dyfed-Powys 89 8.90 97 9.50 93 8.90 83 7.90 
			 Essex 268 9.20 259 9.00 245 8.70 249 8.60 
			 Gloucestershire 83 7.50 82 7.40 68 6.10 69 5.90 
			 Greater Manchester 429 6.20 434 6.40 433 6.40 423 6.10 
			 Gwent 93 7.50 88 7.10 90 7.10 89 7.00 
			 Hampshire 261 7.50 278 8.00 251 7.30 240 7.00 
			 Hertfordshire 157 9.00 158 9.20 155 8.80 168 8.70 
			 Humberside 165 8.20 149 7.50 155 8.00 145 7.60 
			 Kent 149 4.60 119 3.70 103 3.20 104 3.10 
			 Lancashire 422 13.00 225 6.90 220 6.90 217 6.70 
			 Leicestershire 85 4.30 86 4.30 87 4.40 95 4.70 
			 Lincolnshire 95 8.00 95 8.30 93 8.30 88 7.30 
			
			 Merseyside 197 4.70 200 4.70 185 4.50 130 3.20 
			 Metropolitan Police 823 3.20 782 3.00 824 3.20 686 2.80 
			 Norfolk 111 7.80 107 7.70 109 7.90 113 8.00 
			 North Wales 143 10.20 236 17.00 134 9.60 146 10.10 
			 North Yorkshire 127 9.30 128 9.60 96 7.50 129 9.90 
			 Northamptonshire 97 8.30 87 7.60 52 4.70 52 4.50 
			 Northumbria 164 4.40 162 4.20 158 4.20 158 4.10 
			 Nottinghamshire 177 7.60 182 8.20 167 7.60 175 7.90 
			 South Wales 155 5.20 220 7.40 224 7.70 238 7.70 
			 South Yorkshire 197 6.20 197 6.20 196 6.20 206 6.40 
			 Staffordshire 204 8.90 208 9.30 188 8.70 35 1.60 
			 Suffolk 68 5.70 74 6.20 70 6.10 63 5.60 
			 Surrey 176 10.90 177 10.60 173 9.70 197 9.50 
			 Sussex 206 6.90 197 6.90 191 6.80 190 6.60 
			 Thames Valley 272 7.20 265 7.10 251 6.70 251 6.80 
			 Warwickshire 102 11.00 106 11.70 102 11.30 96 10.40 
			 West Mercia 239 11.90 238 11.70 278 14.70 322 16.50 
			 West Midlands 412 5.80 405 5.50 394 5.50 380 5.10 
			 West Yorkshire 307 6.00 331 6.60 323 6.70 326 6.80 
			 Wiltshire 96 8.30 90 7.80 93 8.30 91 8.10

Deaths in Custody

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how many (a) deaths in custody have occurred, (b) public inquiries into deaths in custody have taken place and (c) convictions of police officers secured as a result of cases arising out of deaths in custody, in each year since 1990;
	(2)  what procedures the police are required to follow when investigating a death in custody; and if he will place a copy of his guidance in the Library;
	(3)  how many independent inquiries into deaths in custody his Department has participated in each year since 1990.

John Denham: The Home Office publishes annual statistics of deaths in police custody or otherwise following contact with the police. The figures for each year since 1990 are shown in the table. Statistics for 2001–02 are currently being finalised.
	
		
			 Year Total number of deaths 
		
		
			 1990 61 
			 1991 60 
			 1992 48 
			 1993 31 
			 1994 39 
			 1995–96* 50 
			 1996–97 57 
			 1997–98 69 
			 1998–99 67 
			 1999–2000 70 
			 2000–01 53 
		
	
	There have been no public inquiries into deaths in police custody in any year since 1990. Statistics on the number of police officers who have been convicted as a result of cases arising out of deaths in police custody are not collected centrally.
	The Home Office have not participated in any independent inquiries into deaths in police custody in any year since 1990.
	The procedures relating to the investigation of a death in police custody are contained in sections 70–76 of the Police Act 1996. Where such a death occurs the police are required to refer the investigation to the Police Complaints Authority (PCA) for supervision. It is the responsibility of the PCA supervising Member to approve the appointment of the Senior Investigating Officer (SIO), either from the force where the death occurred or from another force, and to agree the terms of reference for the SIO covering the parameters of the investigation. The PCA recently published their supervision manual which sets out the Authority's approach to supervision and the standards its supervising members will apply.

Investigatory Branch CIB 3

Tim Yeo: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many allegations of perjury at hearings of bail applications have been made against officers from CIB 3 during the last four years.

John Denham: The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis informs me that the Metropolitan Police Service complaints and discipline system indicates that there have been seven allegations in respect of perjury and irregularities in evidence against officers from the Anti-Corruption Unit of the Metropolitan Police Service's Directorate of Professional Standards (formerly CIB3) in all types of courts during the last four years.

Detective Chief Superintendent John Yates

Tim Yeo: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what investigations have been carried out into a complaint of perjury by Detective Chief Superintendent John Yates at Horseferry Road Magistrates' Court on 18 January 1999.

John Denham: I am informed by the Commissioner of the Metropolis that no investigations were carried out into complaints of perjury by Detective Chief Superintendent John Yates at Horseferry Road Magistrates' Court on 19 (not 18) January 1999. Two complaints were made by a convicted police officer and his father. After considering the complaints under the Police Act 1996, the Police (Discipline) Regulations 1985 and as a criminal allegation, the Metropolitan Police Service decided that there were insufficient grounds to appoint an investigating officer.

Litigation

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cases (a) his Department and (b) its agencies have defended in (i) industrial tribunals and (ii) the courts in each year since 1997; how many were concluded in their favour; and what the total cost to his Department of litigation was in each year.

David Blunkett: I refer the hon Member to the reply I gave him on 11 July 2002, Official Report, column 1198W.

Credit Card Fraud

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps his Department has taken with credit card companies in 2002 to help combat credit card fraud.

John Denham: holding answer 18 July 2002
	The Home Office in association with the trade association for credit card companies has set up a two-year pilot of a unique policing unit, the Dedicated Cheque and Plastic Crime Unit. The unit, based in London, was launched in April 2002, with the Home Office providing 25 per cent of the funding requirement.
	The Home Office is also actively supporting the credit card companies in their work towards implementation of Chip and personal identification number (PIN) by April 2005. Under this initiative, microchips will be introduced into payment cards to help authentication. This will be combined with the introduction of PIN as a more secure method of authentication than signature.
	Officials are in frequent contact with the Association for Payment Clearing Services (APACS) to discuss and encourage implementation of other credit card fraud reduction initiatives such as verification of Internet transactions.

Crime and Disorder Partnerships

Graham Allen: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 17 June 2002, Official Report, column 102W, on crime and disorder partnerships, what action he intends to take to ensure that police authorities obtain the views of people on the changes to policing.

John Denham: I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave him on 15 July 2002, Official Report, column 89W.

Crime Statistics

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his estimate is of the number of offences committed in each police authority area in England in each reporting period since 1995–96; and if he will make a statement.

John Denham: holding answer 21 May 2002
	The requested information is given in the table.
	The period requested covers the change in counting rules for recorded crime on 1 April 1998, and the boundary change involving the Metropolitan Police on 1 April 2000. Some forces adopted the principles of the National Crime Recording Standard in advance of its national implementation on 1 April 2002. This may inflate the number of crimes those forces recorded.
	
		Total recorded crime by police force area England and Wales 1995–2000/01
		
			 Police force area Number of offences
			   1999–2000(3) 
			  1995 1996 1997 1997–98(1) 1998–99(1) 1998–99(2) 1999–2000 New boundaries 2000–01 2001–02 
		
		
			 Avon and Somerset* 152,886 156,557 143,128 144,556 131,955 150,089 147,104  149,254 178,991 
			 Bedfordshire 51,104 52,004 47,426 45,250 43,947 49,076 53,607  49,627 52,239 
			 Cambridgeshire 67,652 69,513 60,050 58,864 59,678 67,256 68,722  64,343 69,559 
			 Cheshire 73,202 66,214 60,363 60,716 59,414 65,119 64,528  63,288 70,990 
			 Cleveland 79,719 78,608 64,445 63,634 63,726 67,030 65,185  64,357 72,003 
			 Cumbria* 41,230 39,739 35,810 35,777 35,171 40,202 37,729  32,873 37,324 
			 Derbyshire 82,380 78,896 73,792 74,436 74,047 84,459 85,650  81,668 89,841 
			 Devon and Cornwall 102,193 103,121 94,828 92,800 88,484 110,644 110,361  102,853 101,425 
			 Dorset 54,582 49,731 44,104 43,536 43,903 52,755 52,332  50,320 54,951 
			 Durham* 57,817 51,849 47,976 47,311 44,178 50,413 48,796  44,702 50,175 
			 Essex 98,097 100,758 90,158 89,380 87,147 95,797 102,777 108,305 106,768 113,150 
			 Gloucestershire 55,448 53,675 47,533 46,044 44,000 48,206 50,993  49,871 50,467 
			 Greater Manchester* 327,994 327,976 307,403 315,000 336,172 362,450 377,086  363,454 380,801 
			 Hampshire 134,319 135,915 124,306 121,042 115,008 128,253 135,174  133,553 135,961 
			 Hertfordshire 55,891 54,441 50,050 49,426 46,255 49,309 52,741 65,015 64,215 67,437 
			 Humberside 128,393 126,931 121,330 123,722 119,290 130,691 121,442  110,312 117,463 
			 Kent* 155,251 147,980 122,955 118,892 110,244 129,340 124,918  128,382 120,155 
			 Lancashire* 124,921 122,487 119,755 116,947 105,161 118,085 108,866  117,633 137,760 
			 Leicestershire 93,607 94,124 81,259 81,183 81,714 93,397 94,577  86,422 88,535 
			 Lincolnshire* 48,015 47,069 43,381 41,792 39,718 46,670 46,170  44,884 49,797 
			 London, City of 5,727 4,831 5,130 5,137 6,035 7,144 7,775  8,255 10,098 
			 Merseyside 153,385 145,956 125,979 125,312 130,606 140,874 148,172  142,807 150,934 
			 Metropolitan Police 817,082 841,784 791,732 778,279 767,880 934,254 1,052,047 1,016,742 994,233 1,057,360 
			 Norfolk 51,716 55,314 53,332 52,580 51,167 57,129 59,387  57,259 58,954 
			 Northamptonshire 56,524 57,378 54,047 53,645 55,842 65,466 61,240  56,731 60,485 
			 Northumbria 194,141 169,656 140,166 134,457 132,588 151,298 142,279  134,777 139,130 
			
			 North Yorkshire* 63,539 56,919 50,252 50,297 48,372 55,309 53,554  51,551 59,149 
			 Nottinghamshire 151,371 144,060 128,015 125,097 123,680 135,255 136,875  139,903 159,240 
			 South Yorkshire 154,293 151,577 130,960 125,907 124,427 133,059 131,700  125,179 134,764 
			 Staffordshire* 91,495 92,155 89,957 89,820 84,495 91,919 98,852  104,705 117,274 
			 Suffolk* 38,233 37,095 35,639 35,262 34,280 39,908 43,355  44,317 50,492 
			 Surrey 44,313 42,014 38,440 38,015 36,376 42,467 46,288 63,791 63,321 61,970 
			 Sussex 110,300 118,086 111,624 110,320 111,468 130,402 136,566  136,920 135,110 
			 Thames Valley 178,702 172,194 157,423 154,014 161,646 176,477 191,875  187,989 196,980 
			 Warwickshire 38,906 38,926 35,725 35,604 35,659 38,485 38,593  36,963 42,211 
			 West Mercia* 80,013 82,254 76,762 75,330 69,451 81,782 84,797  78,363 102,149 
			 West Midlands* 318,087 317,892 278,975 277,970 276,512 314,628 364,888  364,879 372,257 
			 West Yorkshire 283,938 268,716 244,142 242,646 246,438 273,809 260,238  258,908 298,847 
			 Wiltshire 36,428 35,911 33,039 32,831 32,984 38,189 38,461  36,555 38,889 
			 England 4,852,894 4,790,306 4,361,391 4,312,831 4,259,118 4,847,095 5,045,700  4,932,394 5,285,317 
		
	
	* Adopted the principles of the National Crime Recording Standard prior to 1 April 2002.
	(1) The number of crimes recorded in that financial year using the coverage and rules in use until 31 March 1998.
	(2) The number of crimes recorded in that financial year using the expanded offence coverage and revised counting rules which came into effect on 1 April 1998.
	(3) New boundaries for the police force areas of Hertfordshire, Essex, Metropolitan Police and Surrey came into effect on 1.4.2000. These figures are the totals for the new areas in the previous year.

Elderly Crime Victims

Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many victims of crime there were aged 65 and over in each year since 1997 in each constabulary.

John Denham: Recorded crime statistics collected centrally do not identify the age of the victim, and therefore the requested information is not available for individual police forces. Information on the age of victim is only available from the 2000 sweep of the British Crime Survey (BCS). The BCS estimates that in 1999 there were 273,000 personal crimes in England and Wales committed against those aged 65 and over. Those aged 65 and over represent 20 per cent of the population for England and Wales, but only experience 4.9 per cent of all personal crimes. The BCS also estimates that there were a further 1,090,000 household crimes against households headed by persons aged 65 or over. These BCS figures cannot be reliably broken down to constabulary level.
	Personal offences here covers assault, robbery, theft from the person, other personal theft. Household offences here covers bicycle theft, burglary, theft in a dwelling, other household theft, theft of and from vehicles and vandalism to household property and vehicles. The BCS does not cover crime against those not living in private households, for example in care homes.

Elderly Crime Victims

Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps the Government are taking to reduce crime against pensioners.

John Denham: British Crime Surveys show that elderly people are far less likely to suffer crime than younger people. But we recognise the impact that crime can have on elderly people. In addition to the work we are pursing to reduce crime generally, we have funded several schemes specifically to tackle crime against the elderly.
	We have set up a Distraction Burglary Task Force, with £1 million Home Office funding, to gather data, publicise good practice, raise awareness and provide guidance for victims of this type of burglary, which is committed predominantly against the elderly.
	We have allocated over £1 million, under the Crime Reduction Programme, to three distraction burglary projects in Leeds, Sheffield and a consortium of forces led by Derbyshire.
	We have funded a two-year programme to provide home security upgrades for low income pensioners in areas with burglary rates above the national average. This scheme runs in conjunction with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA's) Warm Front scheme, which provides heating and insulation improvements. By the end of May, some 114,000 eligible homes had been surveyed, of which over 58,000 are receiving additional locks or bolts.
	We know that people over the age of 65 are among the most likely to fear crime despite being the group least likely to become a victim of crime. Research suggests this may in part be because the impact of crime can be far more traumatic for the elderly and vulnerable than for those of a younger age.
	We are working closely with Age Concern and Help the Aged to identify ways to tackle misperceptions about the risk of victimisation and also to educate the elderly as to the sensible precautions they can take to protect themselves. The Home Office are seeking to run a workshop at the Help the Aged annual conference in October during which these issues will be addressed; solutions identified will be incorporated into the Home Office strategy for reducing the fear of crime.

Retail Crime

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what study he has made of the link between alcohol consumption and drug-related violent crime against retail staff.

Bob Ainsworth: No study has been undertaken to look specifically at the link between alcohol consumption and drug-related violent crime against retail staff. However, we are aware from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) ninth annual survey published this year of their concerns about the level of crime affecting retailers and the concerns they have that this is being driven by theft by drug and alcohol abusers. We are carrying out a commercial crime victimisation study of retail and manufacturing sectors later this year (the first for 10 years). This will give a firm basis for identifying the main crime problems affecting business and give valuable indicators of the best ways to tackle these issues.

Retail Crime

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures he is taking to address violence against shop staff.

John Denham: The Home Office is working with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to raise awareness of the need to tackle work related violence as part of the Health and Safety Commission's three-year programme of work (2000–03) to help reduce the incidence of work-related violence. The HSE published "Work-related violence: managing the risk in smaller businesses" on 9 July 2002. The publication includes 10 case studies on reducing risk of violence to staff. The HSE has also published specific guidance for the retail sector "Preventing Violence to Retail Staff". "Don't Discount Crime", a new user-friendly crime reduction guide for retailers became available in May 2002. This is being circulated among their members by retail trade organisations (including the British Retail Consortium), who were actively involved in deciding its content and design. It is of particular relevance to small retailers and includes basic guidance on what steps to take to reduce crime as well as what to do in crime situations.

Karl Bluestone

Margaret Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what action was taken by the police authority in respect of (a) domestic violence perpetrated against his first wife and (b) subsequent incidents of domestic violence in the Bluestone murder case;
	(2)  how many incidents of domestic violence perpetrated by Mr. Bluestone were (a) recorded and (b) subject to disciplinary action.

John Denham: Four incidents of domestic violence perpetrated by Karl Bluestone were brought to the attention of Kent County Constabulary, and all were recorded. The alleged victim in each of these incidents was Jill Bluestone. The Police were not aware of the incidents perpetrated against Mr. Bluestone's first wife.
	In two of the incidents described above, reference was made to the Crown Prosecution Service who decided to take no further action. No disciplinary action was undertaken in relation to any of the incidents.
	Following the murders perpetrated by Karl Bluestone, a number of reviews have been convened to examine the behaviour of the different agencies that had contact with the family. Reports already received have made a number of recommendations for the police and other agencies in order to minimise the risk of further tragedies and highlighted the lessons to be learnt from this particular case. The Home Office has been working closely with Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) to take forward those recommendations. Once the new ACPO lead officer takes up his duties in September, we shall set a target date for issuing guidance to forces on how to deal effectively with perpetrators of this crime who work within their ranks.

Entry Refusal (Sexual Exploitation)

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have been refused entry to the United Kingdom because of concerns that they would be sexually exploited in each of the last five years.

Beverley Hughes: Information on the reasons for which people were refused is not collated centrally and is therefore not available.

Yarl's Wood Fire

Humfrey Malins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will estimate the cost (a) to date and (b) in the next year to the Bedfordshire police, arising from the Yarl's Wood fire.

John Denham: holding answer 9 July 2002
	The Chief Constable of Bedfordshire has informed me that the cost of the operation to date is approximately £2.9 million and that it is not possible to estimate future costs. The criminal investigation into the circumstances of the incident, and the forensic search of the material removed from the site is continuing.

English Language Teaching

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the number of people from (a) India and (b) Pakistan who are permanently settled in the UK and do not have a working knowledge of English.

Ivan Lewis: I have been asked to reply.
	There is currently no information on the number of people from India and Pakistan who are permanently settled in the UK and do not have a working knowledge of English. However, the DfES has recently commissioned a large survey of adult basic skills needs, which should give us an indication of English language ability by ethnic group.

English Language Teaching

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much has been spent on English language teaching for (a) those from India and Pakistan settled permanently in the UK and (b) new arrivals with an inadequate grasp of English in each of the past five years broken down by constituency; and if he will make a statement.

Ivan Lewis: Comprehensive data on the cost of providing English language training to these groups is not available.

People Trafficking

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions there have been of people living in the United Kingdom for offences connected with the trafficking of women in each of the last five years; and of these, how many have been (a) convicted, (b) sentenced to imprisonment and (c) fined or deported.

Beverley Hughes: As there is at present no specific offence of trafficking, the police and other law enforcement agencies are not able to say how many people connected with the trafficking of women have been prosecuted, convicted, sentenced, fined or deported in the last five years.
	The Government is creating a new offence of trafficking for the purposes of controlling someone in prostitution within the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Bill currently before Parliament. It will carry a maximum penalty of 14 years imprisonment. This is a stopgap offence pending more wide-ranging offences of trafficking for sexual and labour exploitation when Parliamentary time permits.
	In May 2000, we set up Reflex, a multi-agency taskforce on organised immigration crime, including people trafficking. Led by the National Crime Squad (NCS), Reflex brings together all the key agencies from law enforcement, Government and the intelligence community, including the Immigration Service, the National Criminal Intelligence Service (NCIS) and police forces such as the Metropolitan Police, Kent Constabulary and the British Transport Police.
	Under Reflex, we have set up a joint operational unit comprising NCS and Immigration Service officers with sites at Gatwick and Heathrow. This will provide a significant new capability to respond to allegations of trafficking in women.

People Trafficking

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the policy is of the Metropolitan Police in combatting the trafficking of people into the London area for work in the sex industry.

Beverley Hughes: The Metropolitan Police Service is a member of Reflex, a multi-agency taskforce on organised immigration crime, including people trafficking. Reflex targets the organised criminals involved in the trafficking and smuggling of people.
	The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis informs me that the policy of the Metropolitan Police Service is to work with other agencies in detecting, prosecuting and, where appropriate, rescuing prostitutes, some of whom may have been trafficked, working both on and off the street. In order to tackle associated issues, kerb crawlers and those who affix prostitute cards are also prosecuted. Where there is evidence of trafficking for the purposes of prostitution, this is passed on to Reflex.

Immigration Officers (Prague Airport)

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many British immigration officers are based at Prague airport; and what plans he has to increase this number.

Beverley Hughes: holding answer 18 July 2002
	There are no British Immigration Officers based permanently at Prague airport.
	A bilateral agreement reached with the Czech government in February 2001 allows passengers travelling from the Czech Republic to the United Kingdom to be pre-cleared before their arrival in the United Kingdom.
	Under the terms of the agreement a team of 12 British immigration officers, attached to our Embassy in Prague as consular officials, operate a pre-clearance control at Prague airport.
	Pre-clearance operations in Prague are intended to be a short term and flexibly applied response, dependant on the number of inadmissible passengers arriving in the United Kingdom and are therefore re-introduced when operational pressures necessitate. The operation has been implemented on 12 occasions in total.
	There are no plans at present to increase the size of the team.

Parliamentary Questions

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of ordinary written Questions for his Department were answered within a week of tabling in each month since June 2001; and what proportion of questions for named day received a substantive answer on that day in each month since June 2001.

Beverley Hughes: The information requested is given in the following table:
	
		Ordinary Written (OW) Cases answered within 7 days of -- tabling between 1 June 2001 and 25 June 2002
		
			 Type Month Total Within 7 Days Percentage 
		
		
			 OW June 2001 56 37 66.07 
			  July 2001 302 173 57.28 
			  October 2001 314 172 54.78 
			  November 2001 399 165 41.35 
			  December 2001 244 100 40.98 
			  January 2002 464 154 33.19 
			  February 2002 409 145 35.45 
			  March 2002 351 13 3.70 
			  April 2002 492 43 8.74 
			  May 2002 391 121 30.95 
			  June 2002 270 56 20.74 
			 Total  3,692 1,179 31.93 
		
	
	
		Named Day (ND) Cases answered on nominated day between -- 1 June 2001 and 30 June 2002
		
			 Type Month Total Within 7 Days Percentage 
		
		
			 ND June 2001 80 57 72.25 
			  July 2001 192 103 53.65 
			  October 2001 114 45 39.47 
			  November 2001 222 93 41.89 
			  December 2001 99 15 15.15 
			  January 2002 197 38 19.29 
			  February 2002 146 22 15.07 
			  March 2002 160 14 8.75 
			  April 2002 213 16 7.51 
			  May 2002 132 7 5.30 
			  June 2002 109 4 3.67 
			 Total  1,664 414 24.88 
		
	
	The Department recognises that our performance in answering PQs is not as good as it needs to be and we have implemented an action plan to improve the time- liness of our responses to PQs.

Imams

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the (a) number and (b) percentage of imams in the United Kingdom who received their religious education and training outside the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

Beverley Hughes: We do not collect this information.
	Our recent White Paper "Secure Borders, Safe Haven—Integration with Diversity in Modern Britain" contains a proposal to allow those present in the United Kingdom (UK) in some other capacity to fill local vacancies as ministers of religion. It is envisaged that it is more likely that those who have already spent some time in the UK will have absorbed something of our culture and be better able therefore to relate their particular faith to the context of the UK. In addition, someone who has been in the UK is more likely to be able to speak English, which will enable him or her to play their part effectively as a religious leader and aid community relations. It will also be easier to verify the religious training or studies that have been undertaken by individuals whilst in the UK.

Nuisance Neighbours

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what legislation applies to nuisance neighbours in sheltered housing schemes; and if he will make a statement.

John Denham: holding answer 26 March 2002
	There are a number of legislative measures that apply to nuisance neighbours. These include:
	The Housing Act 1996, which makes provision for eviction and injunctions.
	The Environmental Protection Act 1990, under which local authorities can deal with nuisance problems such as noise, smoke, fumes or gases emitted from premises.
	The Crime and Disorder Act 1998 which introduced Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs) which can be used to prohibit individuals from acting in a manner liable to cause harassment, alarm or distress to one or more people in another household.
	The Protection from Harassment Act 1997, which makes it a criminal offence to cause another to fear that violence will be used against him or her.
	The Government's consultation exercise on "Tackling Anti-Social Tenants" ended on 12 July. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister will now be considering the responses and taking this work forward.

Speed Cameras

Mark Tami: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how many convictions relating to the use of mobile speed cameras there were for each police force in the last five years;
	(2)  how many convictions relating to the use of fixed-site speed cameras there were for each police force in the last five years.

John Denham: Data on convictions for speeding as the result of the use of cameras in England and Wales are not available centrally. Court records reported do not separately identify proceedings where cameras have been used.

Road Traffic Offences

Andrew Love: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to publish the Government's response to the consultation on road traffic penalties; what plans he has to introduce an offence of negligent driving; what will constitute negligent driving for the purposes of the offence; and if he will make a statement.

Bob Ainsworth: We aim to publish the Government's response to the consultation exercise on road traffic penalties before the summer recess.
	There are no plans to introduce a negligent driving charge. However, one of the recommendations in the research report "Dangerous Driving and the Law" (Road Safety Research Report No. 26) commissioned by the Department for Transport, is that the Government should consult on the creation of an intermediate offence to deal with driving behaviour not amounting to Dangerous Driving but significantly more serious than Careless Driving, with more severe penalties than the lesser offence, including imprisonment.
	We are currently considering this recommendation and whether changes in the law or its administration are needed.

Road Traffic Offences

Mark Tami: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what powers police forces have in respect of road traffic offences carried out on unadopted roads.

Bob Ainsworth: Road traffic legislation applies to all roads, defined as any highway or other road to which the public has access. It would be for the courts to decide whether any particular unadopted road was one to which the public had access. Where the public does have access to such a road, the police are able to use their full range of powers to enforce road traffic legislation.

Security Industry Authority

Phyllis Starkey: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the Security Industry Authority will begin to operate a national register of those licensed to work within the security industry.

John Denham: The Security Industry Authority (SIA) will begin to compile registers of licence holders as soon as personal licensing begins. The SIA will come into existence on 1 April 2003 and we anticipate personal licensing will begin later that year.

Medical Confidentiality

Edward Leigh: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent assessment he has made of the extent to which the system of medical confidentiality allows for full access to a child's medical records, with specific reference to those held by general practitioners.

David Lammy: I have been asked to reply.
	Access to the confidential medical records of children, held by general practitioners or other parts of the health service, must be in accordance with the law. This would normally require the consent of a competent child or of someone with parental responsibility for the child. Where there is no one able to provide this consent, the best interests of the child might justify access. Where consent is withheld or it is not appropriate to seek consent, access would be possible where there is a statutory basis for permitting it or where the holder of the record feels that matters of public concern outweigh obligations of confidentiality.

Passports

Jimmy Wray: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent improvements have been made to speed up the process of application for passports and renewing passports.

Beverley Hughes: On 14 January 2002, the United Kingdom Passport Service (UKPS) introduced two new guaranteed services at its counters: a premium same day service for renewals and a fast-track one week service for all applications. The standard service, available by post or through the UKPS High Street partners (i.e. selected branches of the Post Office and Worldchoice travel agents) is two weeks. This is not guaranteed but is currently being met in 99.5 per cent of applications. A pilot exercise to test the possibility of extending the fast track service to the High Street partners is currently taking place. Applications for passports can also be completed by telephone or on the Internet; the completed form is posted to the applicant for signature. Improvements to the electronic application channel are being developed on which the UKPS has sought the views of the Consultative Panel of Passport users. It would be technically possible for the improved electronic application channel to be available through private sector partnerships but there are no specific proposals at present.